I READ with alarm about the proposed building of ten flats, with underground parking, at the bottom of Eversley Park Road within yards of Houndsden Gutter. This waterway is a subsidiary of the infamous Salmon's Brook that is much in the news at the moment.

Although the residents of Willow Walk, whose houses overlook the proposed site, have been informed, there are those of us who have not been informed. My house is situated at the lowest point in Willow Walk and every year, without fail, our garden is flooded.

Our garden is 5ft above the stream. Before the flats on the other side of the gutter were built the land was the same height as our garden and the excess water spilled out evenly and shallowly on both sides. Prior to building the flats, the land was raised a good few feet and now we and our neighbours receive all the water that the narrow gutter cannot handle. Before the lagoon in Oakwood Park was built the water rose to within 18ins of our back door.

We have a pond at the bottom of the garden and the water is frequently contaminated and the fish killed by the water, often polluted with diesel and green dye, that overflows from the gutter. We have also lost birds in our aviary that have drowned before we could save them.

If more stress is put upon the limited drainage facilities of Hounsden Gutter I am concerned that our house will eventually be flooded.

Mrs AKM Rickard,

Willow Walk,

Winchmore Hill.