The group behind the development of Dundonald playing fields have denied residents’ claims that groundworks are responsible for the flooding of their properties.

Residents of properties next to the fields say that the levelling of the slope to create a sports pitch has led to water flooding their gardens and, in some cases, their homes.

And they argue that even if the drainage is connected to capture surface water, the work will mean more flooding in the future.

But the Dundonald Community Sports, Recreation and Heritage Association (DCSRHA) say they are 99.9 per cent certain that once drainage is fully repaired and connected, there will be no further flooding, with one caveat.

They argue that the only situation that would overwhelm the drains would be a repeat of the 2019 flooding, where they say flood water from the village main street was pumped onto the playing fields.

The group was asked whether they refuted residents’ claims that the change in ground levels had been responsible for the flooding of properties. 

They replied simply: “Yes."

The group was also asked whether the drainage they say is being finalised would have been put in place had they not been forced to seek planning permission in 2021.

They replied: “Both primary and secondary drainage was to be input as part of the plan.

“In addition, it is also intended to input an additional item, a Swale. This was

something we wanted to input from the beginning but were told, not required.”

One of the issues around the development has been over the amount of surface water being taken account of when determining the risk of flooding.

DCSRHA’s flood risk submission only took into account the volume of rainwater directly landing on the field and had resulted in Ayrshire Roads Alliance withdrawing an objection.

However, residents commissioned their own report, which also included the amount of run-off water from Castle Hill.

When they received this document, ARA reinstated their objection and would only withdraw this once DCSRHA put in place satisfactory drainage.

The group now accepts that the water running from the hill is included and said that a pipe is installed to catch that specific runoff.

When asked if they could give residents 100 percent assurance that flooding would no longer be an issue once the drainage works are complete, they responded: “Only 99.9 percent [assurance] so long as further water is not pumped onto the field from a flooded Main Street.

“In order to give additional assurance to residents, additional work is to be undertaken.”

The association also defended their statement to the Scottish Charity Regulator, where there was no mention of the ongoing issue with drainage, other than a reference to the council demanding retrospective planning permission.

They said: “This is a non-tech review and states that we still have minor works to complete.”