DEVELOPERS have built flood defences on land belonging to Droitwich Rugby Football Club, it has been claimed.

Value

When Persimmon Homes bought the old Hanbury Road rugby ground off the club in 1996, Droitwich RFC held on to a one-metre-wide strip running along the bank of the River Salwarpe.

It hoped the value would increase so they could sell it for profit and the strip remained untouched when houses were developed in 1998.

Last year, Persimmon struck a deal with Wychavon District Council to move an area allocated for leisure space elsewhere and build 17 more houses on the flood plain.

The application was approved on the condition that flood defences were to be built to protect the new homes.

After Christmas, Persimmon began work increasing the height along a 200m stretch of the riverbank, which Droitwich RFC says belongs to them.

Compensation

The club has now complained to the local government Ombudsman and wants compensation by Persimmon.

Wychavon claims Persimmon did not inform the planning committee it did not own the strip.

The authority's planning solicitor, Lisa Peakman-Short, said: "Persimmon Homes, for whatever reason, presented the council with an incorrect certificate. This was at the time of the planning application."

The developer has since agreed to meet Droitwich rugby club bosses to talk over their next steps.