A WOMAN whose home has flooded three times since a new housing estate was built nearby is demanding answers.

For 18 years Carole Hodgson lived in Stanhope Gardens, Middlesbrough, unaware that she was living on a flood plain.

However, since the sprawling development on the St Luke’s hospital site was built in 2008 her home and 150 ft garden have fallen victim three times.

Mrs Hodgson said that when Ormesby Beck used to burst its banks water would overspill at two points into fields.

However, since the 200 home estate was built, Stanhope Gardens has become the new flood plain.

“We were not consulted,” she said. “If they are going to take the flood plain out the water should have been diverted somewhere else.”

“We have householders on our road who’ve been flooded several times who now have problems getting insurance and the premiums have gone through the roof.”

Mrs Hodgson raised the issue at Middlesbrough Council’s executive meeting on Tuesday where a report into flood prevention arrangements was being discussed.

Ray Mallon, mayor of Middlesbrough vowed to launch an enquiry into the roles the council and the Environment Agency played in the St Luke’s site planning process.

“I am going to ask the chief executive to do an impartial investigation into what’s gone on,” he said.

Did the Environment Agency get it wrong, did the council get it wrong? When it is wrong I will share it with the public.”

Julie Brooker, Planning and Corporate Services Manager for the Environment Agency's North-East area, said: "We're working closely with residents in the Stanhope Gardens area and looking at the best options for flood alleviation. We hope to be able to provide a solution in the next few months. In the longer term we are also considering solutions for all the main rivers in Middlesbrough including Ormesby Beck.

"When we dealt with the planning application for the St Luke's site we made sure that the most recent study of flood risk in the area was included. This ensured that up-to-date information was used in our response to Middlesbrough Council.”