A 15-MINUTE downpour on Boxing Day left Llanbadarn streets “running like a river” - and the situation could have had a “drastic outcome” if extra homes are allowed to be built on a greenfield site in the area, a councillor has said.

A downpour on Boxing Day saw emergency services and council workmen called out to assess any threat to nearby homes after roads and pavements became quickly flooded.

Cllr Paul James said the incident was a “warning” to planners who have recommended a 48-home plan for approval, to reject building more homes in the area.

“It was a quick downpour, but another hour and homes would have been flooded,” Cllr James said.

“It was a bit concerning for residents and if the development (at Cefn Esgair) gets the go-ahead the problems will only get worse.

“It’s a warning. It’s like someone’s saying don’t build this.

“It’s like a sign from God to people that this plan should not be approved.”

Dwr Cymru, which is responsible for drainage in the area has lodged no objection to the scheme, other than to raise concerns that its system “will not be able to accommodate the amount of surface water proposed.”

The proposed scheme for water dispersal, outlined in a report on the development, would see surface water drained to join a stream running down the hill - a plan Cllr James said would exacerbate existing problems.

“The report talks about directing the water from this proposed new development of 48 houses into the stream running down the Cwm which as already been done with the Cefnllan and Caer Wylan developments and has already had a major impact and has increased the amount of water running into this stream,” Cllr James said.

“This in fact was the stream that caused the flooding on Boxing Day evening gushing out onto the road.

“So the impact of another development also dispersing more surface water into this stream could have dramatic impact on the village below.”

The report says the development will use an engineered device to ensure the regulation of water dispersal.

“The general principle behind the design is to restrict the discharge rate to the green-field run-off rate and to regulate the flow by the use of a Hydrobrake,” the report says.

“This device uses a vortex system which, under increased head, retains the required discharge rate.”

The development, the subject of objections from dozens of residents, has already come under fire for its potential to bring the area’s traffic to a stand-still.

A site meeting was held by members before Christmas, with the application set to go before Ceredigion council’s planning committee this month.