ANGRY residents are demanding that a developer fills in a pond at a new housing estate before a child "drowns in the filthy muddy water".

People living near the new First Step Homes development of 24 houses in Cambridge are outraged by the fenced-off pool of water which has been left behind.

It was supposed to be a series of underground pipes covered over with grass, and Stroud District Council is "appalled" by the open pit of pungent water that has been created off Dursley Road.

Both residents and councillors are now demanding that the developer makes amends before there is a tragic accident.

Slimbridge parish councillor Pat Cope said: “I am outraged about this. This pond must be filled in before someone drowns in the filthy muddy water."

The attenuation pond, designed to drain water to reduce flooding, was set out as a series of pipes covered by grass in the original planning application for the homes, which was approved by SDC.

Parish councillor Mike Stayte, who lives in Dursley Continued on page 3 (Continued from page 1) Road, said: “This is a complete eyesore. I have only seen this type of pond at motorway service areas or new industrial developments.

"Not only is it out of keeping with the new development, which I must admit looks better than I expected before this pond appeared, it will become a danger to children once the fence begins to deteriorate.

“I doubt if there is any plan to look after it and it will certainly deepen once the outlet gets blocked with rubbish and such. The pond has never been the subject of a planning application that appeared before Slimbridge Parish Council.

“This development was for first time buyers and affordable houses – both likely to have a high proportion of children.

"This pond cannot be considered safe and it is unlikely that any risk assessment has been done. It also looks aesthetically poor now; what will it be like when the weeds take over?”

A spokesman for SDC said the fenced-off pool of water was not what the council expected.

“The ‘pond’ is actually a flood attenuation measure which was negotiated between Severn Trent, into whose system storm water will flow, and the developer," the spokesman said.

“Conditions were imposed by the council in order to allay the fears of locals, including those of Mr Stayte and the parish.

“We are also appalled at the way the site has been left by the builders and our planners have made their feelings known to the developer.

"The council is looking to the management company and housing association to improve the frontage as part of their ownership.”

First Step Homes were unable to be reached for comment before going to print.