A MUM of four says claims she is trapped in a home she is unable to sell because of flooding.

Tracie Sturdy also believes a controversial housing development near her property will increase the chances of flooding and further endanger her home.

But the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water both disagree, saying the scheme will not cause flooding.

Residents last week lost their fight against the 37-home development at Bells Yard, Norton, when councillors decided there was no reason not to back the application by Tay Homes.

"We have been flooded twice now and the value of my house has plummeted," said Tracie, who lives at Toisland View, near Priorpot Beck.

"We do want to move out but there is no way we can sell it for the asking price - as a result we've been forced to stay.

"I am dreading another winter without flood defences. I don't think I could stand another flood."

She said the Tay Homes issue had simply added to her concerns.

"We are begging the council to give us some sort of consideration," she said.

"We know realistically that we cannot sell this house as we cannot get a loan to extend the property. That tells us that it is worth nothing," she said.

She feared the new homes would leave fewer places for floodwater to drain and increase the chances of their homes flooding.

"We feel trapped by our circumstances," she said.

"It is irresponsible of the council to give this planning permission without offering us some sort of defence against flooding.

"There are going to be those people sitting over there in nice and dry houses and we are going to be moving our four kids out again if it floods."

Planning officers recommended approval on advice from the Environment Agency, which said the development would not cause more flooding, and Yorkshire Water said the development would not raise flood levels.

However, councillors expressed concerns that the council could be held responsible if the homes did flood as a result of the development.

The family has been flooded twice since 1999, and Tracie's four-year-old son, Ashley, has spent 14 months of his life living away from home.

"It is normal to him to get his boots and his boat and move out," she said.

"We don't know what we can do now - we have to prepare for the worst."

Updated: 11:35 Tuesday, August 21, 2001