First step in Thatcham's flood defence works is approved

West Berkshire Council submitted a planning application for the project at St Gabriel’s Farm, between Cold Ash Hill and Little Copse, north of Southend.
Attenuation ponds, or dry ponds, are designed to prevent flooding by storing excess rainwater, and allowing it to flow into the sewers at a controlled rate.
The pond will protect 131 properties, including those in Southend, Billington Way, a couple in Northway and some in Northfield Road.
The construction is expected to cost about £700,000, with the majority of the funding coming from a government grant.
The chairman of Thatcham Flood Forum, Iain Dunn, said that it was good news but the council needed to get it built before the end of the financial year.
He said: “If it’s not done by the end of the financial year, we are not regarded as ‘enthusiastic’ by the Environment Agency, and that this could lead to problems with the funding.”
Mr Dunn added that the plan was to build seven ponds in total, the second one to be sited on the other side of Cold Ash Hill to help protect a further 107 properties, including those in Tull Way.
Mr Dunn is asking people to record any flooding in their area on the forum website www.thatchamfloodforum.org.uk.
The forum is holding a meeting on January 23, at 7pm at the town council offices in Brownsfield Road.
All residents can attend.