Council rapped in flood risk row
A County Durham couple who claimed building work caused their home to flood are in line for compensation.
The couple complained that the building of seven houses on a nearby former scrapyard meant their own land became waterlogged in heavy rain.
The local government ombudsman found Derwentside District Council and the Environment Agency were at fault.
The ombudsman says legal rules prevent it from identifying the names of the couple or the exact area involved.
Ombudsman Patricia Thomas found the council and the agency were guilty of "maladministration causing injustice".
But the watchdog can only recommend, not force authorities to take action and pay up.
"Dramatic improvement"
It has urged the council to pay £500 and the Environment Agency £250 to the couple for the "anxiety" they had suffered.
But Alex Watson, leader of Derwentside District Council, said he was "disappointed" at the outcome of the case.
He said: "Granting planning permission for residential development of this former scrapyard has brought about a dramatic improvement in the quality of the site.
"The council is surprised and disappointed at the outcome of this investigation, however it is likely we will accept the ombudsman's recommendations."
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said it was considering the report's recommendations.
The council and the Environment Agency have been called on to pay for any necessary repair work.
Source: The BBC (26/08/2004)
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