A DEVELOPER has moved to allay fears that scores of homes being built next to the river Colne in Colchester could be at risk of flooding.

Persimmon Homes Essex says independent experts have vouched the 117 homes being built off Cowdray Avenue will not be under threat.

But Colchester MP Bob Russell, who lives nearby, said while people could make up their own mind, he would not buy any of the “Riverside Quarter” homes.

Neil Sykes, Persimmon sales director, said: “Although there has been some queries surrounding the construction of the development, I’d like to take this opportunity to reassure interested parties that three separate firms of independent consultant engineers, the Environment Agency, Colchester Council and the Government’s independent inspector were unanimous in deciding that our homes at Riverside Quarter should be built and would not be subject to flooding.”

The scheme was given the go-ahead by a Government planing inspector after Colchester Council’s planning committee refused to allow it.

Mr Russell said he was not convinced that future climate change would not threaten the new houses.

He said: “Frankly, I wouldn’t buy a house on that part of Cowdray Avenue, but other people might wish to.

“This is the closest that houses have been built to the river in about 20 years.”

After construction work was delayed last year because of the recession, diggers moved in last month and started laying the foundations.

The developer plans to open nine acres of nature reserve in the area with the help of Essex Wildlife Trust.

Persimmon has also promised to add new trees, partly to replace famous daffodils which were flattened last year.