Local campaigner Iain Mills is angry that concerns about flash flooding in relation to a housing development at Brisbane Glen were not heeded by a Scottish Government appointed reporter.

In a letter to the Largs and Millport News, he said: "The news of the recent flash flooding in Brisbane Glen is as predictable as it is disappointing. Local people have been highlighting this issue for years. One of the main problem areas once again is where the Kil Burn comes down off the hills to the east of the Glen road and flows into an inadequate culvert.

Local councillors – from all parties – have been supportive of local people in the affected areas, and removed proposed housing developments to the east of the Glen road from the local plan as they felt further development would only make things worse.

However, the building firm with a vested interest in developing this area appealed that decision and the Scottish Government-appointed Reporter upheld their appeal, over-ruling the council. One wonders how much time the Reporter spent in Largs talking to real people as opposed to sitting in front of his computer or sifting through documents gratefully supplied by the building form? Not a lot I would guess. And how much consideration was given to the evidence of previous flooding compiled and submitted by local residents? The same reporter also ruled against North Ayrshire Council on a whole range of issues from across North Ayrshire – so much for democracy and decision-making at a local level. In the meantime, local residents suffer again and are still waiting for effective action to be taken to address this problem. "