FRESH flooding fears have been raised in Fairlie after heavy rain lashed the village during Storm Gerrit.

Community councillor David Telford said the deluge on Wednesday, December 27 highlighted the danger posed to homes in the village through lack of maintenance at a pond near a new housing development.

Mr Telford and others have raised persistent questions over the ownership of, and responsibility for, the pond, or 'sustainable urban drainage system' (SUDS), at the entrance to the Dawn Homes development next to the village petrol station.

The railway to and from Largs had to be closed after heavy rain left the line flooded near Fairlie, while gardens of homes in Marine Court and Pier Crescent were also under water.

Heavy surface water was reported on several roads, with residents stating on social media that their homes had come "close to being flooded".

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Flooding has been common occurrence as this picture shows.Flooding has been common occurrence as this picture shows. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Telford previously told the News of his fear that a culvert leading from the Dawn Homes development could “fail completely” through lack of maintenance.

He said: "The last communication I received from Dawn Homes states that they take responsibility for the temporary SUDS pond - but not the Keppenburn culvert that runs below the A78.  

"All of this confusion goes back to NAC’s Local Development Plan. policy RES3.  

"Fairlie Community Council warned NAC about this when it was first introduced."

North Coast councillor Ian Murdoch has raised the issue with North Ayrshire Council after being quizzed by FCC and other local residents.

Cllr Murdoch said he had received a letter from NAC officials outlining local authority's current position.

He said: "North Ayrshire Roads Dept have advised that the road has not yet moved into its final year maintenance period.

"They have asked Dawn Homes to carry out some remedial works and then it will be put in the maintenance period before being fully adopted by the council.

"In terms of the SUDS network and other landscaped areas, this will be a private legal matter. Streetscene has confirmed that this is not something they would take on.

"In terms of the SUDS ponds specifically, it may be that Dawn Homes will retain some interest. They will require connections to the SUDS network, should they be in a position to carry out the next phase of development.

"If the culvert under the A78 is improved, Dawn Homes would likely be entitled, in planning terms, to build flats on the site of the SUDS pond adjacent to the A78. However, any interest Dawn Homes may retain in the SUDS network would again be a private legal matter."

As recently reported, NAC is seeking funding for a flood protection scheme for the Keppen Burn, which passes close to Dawn Homes’ housing development at the north end of the village.

Dawn Homes carried out a temporary fix – but the company has now insisted that the pond was never meant to be a permanent feature, and says that in the long term, drainage is NAC’s responsibility.

A spokesperson for NAC said: “As landowner, Dawn Homes has a duty to continue maintaining the drainage pond.

“The council is currently seeking funding for a flood protection scheme (FPS) for Keppen Burn through the Settlement and Distribution Group (SDG), which includes the Scottish Government, COSLA and local authority officials.

“When the SDG review is concluded we will know if we qualify for funding that will allow us to progress with the FPS.

“In the meantime, we will continue to manage sediment levels in Keppen Burn.”