A Council flooding expert says the borough needs investment to protect areas at risk.

And Kirklees Council’s flood manager Tom Ghee is hoping to seek outside funding for projects currently being drawn up.

He says more can be done to prevent flooding, such as reservoirs being lowered ahead of forecasts of heavy rain, but said it was work for the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water to agree to undertake.

Mr Ghee described the borough as being “fortunate” over the last 20-30 years to avoid a significant flooding event.

“There were floods in Holmfirth and there have been one or two isolated incidents since, but nothing classed as significant,” he said.

“But in terms of percentage risk we are seventh out of around 60 to 70 local authorities of being at greatest risk of flooding.

“In my view we’re the first conurbation that hasn’t been flooded of those on the list – all those before us have in the last 10 years experienced flooding.

“I don’t want to scaremonger, but inform of the situation and what we’re doing to prevent it.”

He said 15% of households in Kirklees were at risk of flooding from river, minor watercourses and surface water.

Mr Ghee is part of a three-strong team at Kirklees Council which could soon be expanded when changes to the planning process come into force in October, when it will be a requirement for drainage consent as well as planning consent.

Speaking to members of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel for Development and Environment committee, Mr Ghee addressed members’ concerns about building on flood plains - a hot topic after the recent flood in other parts of the country.

He said: “In Kirklees I can’t recall advice about flooding and planning being ignored.

“A third of the resources in the flood team is spent trying to rectify historical mistakes so it’s important to give good advice.

“Our advice is that development cannot make a situation worse, so people may see industrial units being built on grass land, but what they don’t see is the developer has had to spend thousands on underground tanks.

“We do require water storage.”

Mr Ghee received the support of the Scrutiny Panel to seek some changes. He wants gully clearing to be prioritised, with those most at risk getting more attention than others which never pose a risk. Councillors supported the move.

And one more challenging to implement idea he has is for hidden culverts to be identified to potential homeowners, something not currently required.

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