LOSING trees to make way for a flood alleviation scheme at Dyfan Road is "regrettable" but "fully justified", a Vale councillor has said.

The £2milllion Coldbrook Catchment Flood Risk Management Scheme will begin this December and aims to alleviate the risk of a repeat of flooding which affected more than 100 homes in the area in 2007.

Earlier this year, when work began on felling trees in the Dyfan Road open space area, residents petitioned the council describing the work as a "devastation" of the land.

A meeting to update the community on the work was held last week and was attended by several residents directly affected by the 2007 flooding as well as those likely to be impacted by the proposed works.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Rob Curtis with a panel of representatives from the Vale of Glamorgan Council, including Miles Punter, Director of Visible Services and Housing, and the project engineers.

Cllr Curtis opened the meeting with a stark reminder of the flooding he witnessed first-hand in 2007, which affected over 100 houses and four schools.

The latest scheme design was then presented followed by a question and answer session.

Local residents raised various issues regarding the design, impact and timing of the works which were addressed by the panel.

Concerns were once again raised over continued access to the Dyfan Road public open space and loss of trees due to the construction works in this area.

The Vale council has said it has considered this and will liaise closely with local residents over the future management of the area.

Although trees cannot be replanted within the new water storage area the Council will plant trees at nearby sites to help mitigate the environmental impact of the works.

Cllr Curtis said: "Having seen the devastating effect of the flooding on local residents and schools in 2007 I am fully committed to delivering this vital flood alleviation scheme.

"The redesigned scheme will afford an even higher level of protection following rigorous testing and independent checks.

"Although the loss of trees in the Dyfan Road public open space is regrettable it is also fully justified in the interests of protecting the wider community from flooding."

For further information and updates on the scheme see www.coldbrookflood.co.uk