An expert has criticised the council and a homebuilder for their handling of flooding at a golf club caused by a housing development.
Last month, The Bolton News reported that Bolton West MP Chris Green had called upon the council and Bellway Homes to fix the flooding problem at Westhoughton Golf Club caused by The Vistas development.
Bellway said it was “fully aware” of the flooding and that it has been “working with the relevant stakeholders to resolve the issue”.
It was reported, as per Mr Green’s office, that the flooding is the result of a blocked culvert.
However retired operations geophysicist and chartered scientist George Casson, who is also a local resident, disagrees.
READ MORE: Bolton West MP Chris Green on Westhoughton Golf Club flooding
He said: “For 40 years I spent an inordinate amount of time dealing with the issues of sub-surface geology and near surface water.
“The flooding has been a problem regardless of weather conditions since Bellway started building The Vistas.
“The issue is not as a result of a blocked culvert.
"The flooding is due to near sub-surface water being driven to the surface by piledriving and the weight of the estate.”
Mr Casson says that after living close to the site since 1997, the land there has always flooded during heavy or prolonged rainfall.
He says that when flooding started to occur, Bellway dumped “lorry loads” of rubble on the surface to increase the height of the development above the water standing at ground level.
READ MORE: Plans for 685 homes on former Little Hulton golf course get go-ahead
“The weight of the rubble and the houses, initiated by the pile driving, has pushed the water to the surface where it has then run to the lowest point,” he said.
“The reason Bellway needed to piledrive is because the top two meters or so is peat.
"This acts like a sponge for water but the ground needed to be consolidated for building.
“Compress the peat, like a sponge, and water flows out.”
Mr Casson says he complained to the council about the use of demolition rubble, forewarning of further flooding issues.
He added: “Bellway knew they had a water control problem during the building.
"To try and control the flooding they put a standard motorised pump into action flushing the water into a manhole on site.
“It didn't work.
READ MORE: Almost 1,000 objections to new 183-home estate on green land near Westhoughton
“Moreover, the flooding drowned a mature hedge line which hasn't been replaced. The picture of Mr Green and friends shows the large gap.
“So, blocked culvert or not, the root cause of this issue is firmly on the doorstep of Bellway and Bolton Council.”
Bellway would not be drawn on commenting on Mr Casson’s claims.
It instead reiterated its previous stance.
A spokesperson for the council said: “As part of the planning process, we consult with both partner agencies and members of the public.
“All feedback is taken into account before a final decision is made.”
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18.
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