Selsey pensioner's flood fears over new homes

A waterlogged site at East Beach Walk, where 110 homes are being built

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A pensioner fears a large pool of overflowing rain water, dug by a developer on his doorstep, will cause his property to flood.

John Prior has lived in Park Road, Selsey, for 62 years.

He lives just south of East Beach Walk, a new development of 110 homes.

The first few houses are currently being built, and developer Barratt Homes has dug a huge well on the south of the site, where rainwater is flowing into.

John Prior, 86, looking out of his home at the water on the development, with fellow Selsey resident Alan Redman

With so much recent wet weather, that pool is overflowing and Mr Prior fears with any more it could begin flowing onto his land.

“I’m 86 years old and I tend not to get terrified or too excited about anything, but I do worry I will flood,” said Mr Prior, who lives in one of the old Pullman Railway coaches converted into houses.

“I’m worried they are going to keep pumping water into it (the pool) and it’s already overflowing right near my back garden.

“They put a black plastic fence right around the perimeter to keep wildlife out and to my mind that’s all that’s keeping the water in.”