AN ACTION group set up in the wake of floods which engulfed homes in Kendal in 1999 has reformed amid fears the inundations could return.

The Stock Beck group claims a proposal to build houses on land in the Castle ward would increase flood risk for the wider residential area.

Members fear the development, close to Sandylands, would drain into Stock Beck, potentially overwhelming flood defences only completed four years ago.

In a leaflet to local residents, the group says: “The flood lagoon has already been overwhelmed on three occasions and this shows it does not have the capacity to take any more drainage as it is already at the maximum capacity of what it was designed to do. This will put the Calder Drive area at risk.”

In January 1999, homes in parts of Lowther Park, Silverdale Drive and a small area of Calder Drive were flooded after Stock Beck burst its banks. The inundation led to £3million being spent on defence works - the Stock Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme.

Urging residents to lobby South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) over the issue, the leaflet says: “We cannot lose the benefit of the Stock Beck scheme that so many people have worked so hard to achieve, by allowing planners to simply overwhelm the scheme and put us all at risk again.”

Stock Beck Action Group (SBAG) has written to SLDC officials urging them to take the land out of the South Lakeland Land Allocation document, additions to which are currently being consulted on. The letter says: “We do not wish to become involved in planning issues as our concerns are nothing to do with the need to make land available for houses as this is needed, but only in the right places.

“Areas where flooding could be a problem are not sensible places to be considered. If (the holding reservoir) overlows, Calder Drive and all houses below as far as Ann Street will bear the brunt of the floods.

“Also, Lowther Park will again be at risk.”

Local resident and Kendal businessman Nigel Byrom said: “I am concerned about my home, but I want to know who is correct - the people who are re-starting this action group, or the council. It may be just scarem-ongering.”