Eastleigh couple call for action after garden floods

Felicity and Stephen Thompson of Boyatt Wood said they dread what state their garden will be in after dramatic downpours.

Several large puddles formed at the end of their garden in recent weeks, with no sign of draining away.

But the problem has not been limited to recent bouts of heavy rain – and the married couple want someone to act.

‘I have threatened Eastleigh Borough Council with withdrawing my council tax,’ Felicity said.

'Destroying our garden'

Felicity and Stephen Thompson in their flooded garden (Image: Newsquest)

The 65-year-old and her husband have lived in their cottage in Lewes Close for 40 years.

Although the pair have faced occasional flooding in that time, none has been as severe as in the last seven years.

Felicity blames the neighbouring Hazelwood Grove development, built by Bargate Homes in 2017, as the root of the problem.

But Eastleigh Borough Council confirmed the drainage condition for the plans was satisfied in 2016 following approval from Southern Water and Hampshire County Council Highways.

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Felicity said: “We live in an old cottage and next to our land is some four feet of water which has encroached on our garden. What should be woodland is now water.

“This can be a damp area because of the Itchen but it would always drain away in the past.

“The flooding is destroying trees which are protected by Tree Protection Orders.

“We have a very old silver birch at the end of our garden and we think it has succumbed to the flooding.

“The water is fairly stagnant, so my fear is it will become a breeding ground for all sorts.

“The flooding is destroying our garden.”

'Four feet deep'

Luckily the flooding is not damaging the couple’s property. But both fear it may have repercussions if they come to sell.

Felicity said: “Our garden is 4ft deep in water – we are losing it. And, should we sell, it will be difficult.

“The weather of course hasn’t helped, but in the 40 years we have lived here the water has drained away.

“This problem has arisen since the building work on the estate began.

“We would like a drainage system set up that counteracts the excess water.”

Stephen, 64, added: “Someone must take responsibility.

“This water will likely be here until May and you can pump it out, but it rises back up again.”

Council investigation 

Hampshire County Council said they are aware of flooding issues affecting those in the area.

An investigation was undertaken and no specific cause - such as blocked drains or ditches in the area – was identified.

The local authority also confirmed that the neighbouring development’s drainage system is designed to divert water to the north of the estate, ‘which would not impact on Lewes Close’.

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A spokesperson said: “Funding for flood defences is allocated according to the number of properties that are affected by flooding inside their homes and it does not apply to garden flooding.

“It is also the case that many locations across Hampshire have experienced flooding issues following heavy rainfall over a wet autumn and winter adding to the volume of ground water, which was already at much higher-than-average levels.

“Whilst we appreciate this is a stressful situation for the residents in Lewes Close, this case does not meet the threshold for the funding, and we advise that residents experiencing surface flooding obtain practical advice and support from the National Flood Forum.”