A GROUP of local councillors have called on East Riding of Yorkshire Council to change its planning policies with regard to housing development and its link to flooding.

Councillors from Market Weighton, Walkington, South Cave, Molescroft and Hutton Cranswick met earlier this month to discuss their concerns over excessive housing development and its effect on drainage and flooding in their communities.

Councillors from Elloughton and Bridlington could not attend the meeting, but have also expressed support.

All councillors said the drainage systems in their communities were overloaded and flooded frequently at times of heavy rain causing sewage and rainwater to enter homes.

Peter Hemmerman, mayor of Market Weighton, said: “We have to question the relationship between government, developers and local authorities when it seems that the building of new houses takes precedence over the safety and welfare of existing residents.

“The Government’s plans to make planning easier, which must inevitably result in a surge of house building, will result in an increase in flooding and sewage overflows. We must have a substantial investment in new and enlarged drainage systems throughout the region before any more significant housing developments take place.”