FLOOD-HIT residents in Ryedale claim current plans to build flood defences will not protect their homes.

They say about ten homes in Toisland View and Scarborough Road, in Norton, which have been flooded twice in the last two years, face worse floods under the current scheme.

And the man in charge of the scheme has refused to give a definite assurance that their homes will be protected.

Tracie Sturdy, of Toisland View, says that after viewing the defence plans, there seems to be no definite protection for her and her family, and other homes in her area, from flooding at Priorpot Beck.

"We are really upset at this because it seems like we've been ignored," she said.

"There are only about ten houses affected by this beck and it just seems like we are too small to count."

Though the Environment Agency is responsible for providing defences along the River Derwent, it is Ryedale District Council's responsibility to provide defences along Priorpot and Mill Becks.

"All the protection measures the council have proposed seem to concentrate on Mill Beck but we've been given nothing," said Tracie.

She says residents tackled an official from the Environment Agency who told them the current scheme would offer them no protection but would not make their situation worse.

"I don't believe it - we are very scared about what is going to happen to us," she said.

Dave Summers, Ryedale District Council's technical manager, said he was not in a position to discuss plans for Priorpot Beck.

"A report is due to go before the General Services and Licensing Committee on October 11 about this issue. All I can say is that our consultants are looking at the situation and there are a number of options for Priorpot Beck."

Updated: 10:41 Friday, September 28, 2001