Borough Council Takes Action At Last for Ash Vale Residents Hit By Flooding

Published on: 15 Feb, 2025
Updated on: 17 Feb, 2025

Gareth Archard standing by the storm pipes at the centre of the problem

By David Reading

A group of Ash Vale residents whose gardens suffer from heavy flooding during torrential rain have at last reported positive progress after four years of frustration when they could get no action from Guildford Borough Council.

The Guildford Dragon NEWS reported in March 2024 that there had been three floods in the gardens at Wellington Place in four years, caused by water running out of storm pipes installed at a nearby GBC development, Sopwith Close.

See: GBC ‘Planning Breach’ Causes Flooding Ordeal for Ash Vale Residents

Following the reports, GBC engaged in talks with the residents and said this week that it is undertaking a programme of vital improvements to help reduce the risk of flooding.

Mr Gareth Archard, the residents’ spokesperson, said the installation of storm pipes when Sopwith Close was built in 2015 went against the terms of the approved planning permission for the housing. And the council acknowledged that elements of the drainage system for Sopwith Close were “installed incorrectly”.

Pedro Wrobel GBC’s CEO

Mr Archard complained formally to GBC planning in February 2020 but many months of frustration followed when he could get no action. He said it was only after the new CEO, Pedro Wrobel, became involved that there was progress and recent talks had been fruitful.

In September a site visit took place involving Mr Wrobel and flood authority stakeholders, and in October a GBC forum was held in the Ash Centre, where residents were invited to describe their problems.

This week GBC said in a statement: “In collaboration with key partners, we’re undertaking a programme of work to help reduce flooding in the Sopwith Close and Wellington Place area of Ash Vale. These vital improvements are aimed at reducing the risk of flooding for local residents.

“The work completed to date has included clearing vegetation in and around the neighbouring Blackwater River, and removing abandoned bicycles, pallets, rolls of carpet and concrete blocks from the river bed. By clearing sections of the river, we can help to increase its capacity and make sure that water levels don’t get too high when there is rainfall.

“We’ve also appointed a specialist consultant team to model this section of the river to identify any options that could reduce flooding further.”

The statement continued: “The first Sopwith Close and Wellington Place Flood Action Group Multi Agency meeting took place in January 2025, with the next planned for the end of this month. We’ve appointed the National Flood Forum to support and represent residents, and to work with all partners to ensure accountability.

“We experienced significant heavy rain in November and again in January, but property in Sopwith Close and Wellington Place did not suffer flooding.

“We will continue to work with residents and our partners to monitor the issue and work on longer term solutions to flooding in this area.”

Mr Archard said the residents were happy with the progress so far and particularly with the commitment shown by Mr Wrobel and borough councillors, and with the support of their MP, Jeremy Hunt.