A DEVELOPER is drawing up proposals to build up to 100 homes in a flood-prone part of the New Forest.

Wyatt Homes wants to redevelop an area of land south of Derritt Lane, Bransgore - scene of several serious floods in recent years.

But the company is vowing to implement a raft of measures to protect occupants of the proposed new homes.

In January last year five people and a dog were rescued after three vehicles were trapped in floodwater. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said the water was about 1ft deep in the centre of the road and 4ft deep at the side.

In 2014 Derritt Lane was flooded for weeks after the wettest January for almost 250 years, leaving villagers virtually cut off.

Richard Frampton borrowed equipment from a fellow farmer and spent 12 hours pumping thousands of gallons of water into a stream.

Wyatt is consulting the public before submitting a planning application to New Forest District Council.

It says the homes will be built on land at low risk from flooding from sources such as Clockhouse Stream, which runs along the southern boundary of the site.

A spokesperson said: "Areas at risk of surface water flooding have been identified from Derritt Lane to the north of the site.

"Appropriate corridors will therefore be included within the development to ensure these potential flows can be safely conveyed across the site to the stream."

Run-off water generated by the homes will be dealt by installing drainage systems known as SUDs, which use basins and ponds.

The plan also includes measures to cope with another problem in the area - foul-water sewage flooding.

Wyatt wants to build on land earmarked for residential development in the district council's Local Plan, which aims to manage development outside the New Forest National Park between now and 2036.

If the scheme is given the go-ahead the company will build a mixture of flats, detached and semi-detached houses and terraced cottages.

The proposed development will include a “gatekeeper’s cottage” beside a new village green at the corner of Derritt Lane and West Road.

Other features will include courtyard spaces with barn-style dwellings.