Residents warn about flood plains

Seven houses are planned for the site

Residents in north Devon who have been protesting against building on flood plains are taking their campaign to the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott.

They say it is because of a decision to give planning permission for new housing in Braunton.

Seven new houses, plus garages, have been planned of the site next to the River Caen, which runs through the town.

However, campaigners say they believe the area is unsuitable because it could flood at any time.

Task force

They have now written to the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Peter Ruddock of the Braunton Environmental Group said: "I think he should step in and do something about it, because he should realise that innocent people's lives are more important than the policies and the guidelines."

The new houses would be only 65 metres away from another controversial development.

Homes built at Batts Meadow, also next to the river, were given planning permission following a lengthy protest.

Engineers were later called in to examine holes that appeared in the foundations of the homes.

The site owners at Batts Meadow, Sanctuary Housing Association, said at the time it was the normal settlement of the foundations and that there was no danger.

North Devon District Council said it had asked a task force to look at the whole of the flooding issue in Braunton.