THE locals say the site for housing is prone to flooding.

But Winchester city councillors say there is nothing they can do to stop development on a paddock off Spring Gardens on the edge of Alresford.

The road is named after the underground water sources not the season and local people predict it will sooner or later be inundated.

But the planning committee could only approve the details of the 33-home scheme by Croudace Homes as a planning inspector granted permission in 2011 after a public inquiry.

Cllr Simon Cook, the local ward member, said: “The road runs along a relic chalk stream. Flooding can occur frequently.”

He said it was critical that the planning conditions for things like drainage were strictly adhered to.

But the committee heard that the Environment Agency regarded the area as prone to serious flooding once every 1,000 years.

Planning committee chairman Ernie Jeffs who also represents Alresford, raised other concerns: “New farm Road is a fast road. This is a risky spot, there is no doubt about that.”

There was concern that a pond will be sited in a boggy part of the field as it could be a danger for young children.

Of the 33 units, 12 will be affordable, with nine available for rent and three on shared equity, the committee heard.

There were six letters of objection from local people but they mostly raised issues that had been overtaken by the granting of planning permission last year.

The committee unanimously approved the detailed plans with numerous conditions including the retention of the hedges around the field.