A family has been forced to flee their £400,000 dream home after their entire back garden was swept away by a river. IT specialist Leigh Adams, 46, his wife Simone, 40, and their seven-year-old daughter Ellie watched in horror as their 20ft lawn, new patio and garden furniture were washed away during floods.
The family bought the four-bedroom Redrow home on the Carnegie Court development in Bassaleg, near Newport, South Wales, just 22 months ago. They were reassured about flood defences by the developer, but the River Ebbw burst its banks after Storm Dennis, leaving the back door opening onto a 10ft sheer drop into the water.
Leigh said: 'My neighbours knocked on my door and said the river has burst its banks. It was like watching a film as it was happening. Over a period of around an hour I watched the river bank collapse and take my garden.' The family had to be evacuated while their daughter was still in her pyjamas.
The estate was built on a former golf course, and planning permission was initially refused by Newport Council in 2005 due to flood risk. It was only approved on appeal to the Welsh Government on condition that 'robust flood defences' were put in place. The couple are now calling on Redrow to rehouse them, saying the house was 'never fit for purpose'.
Redrow is currently paying for the family's stay in a Cardiff hotel. A spokesman for Newport Council said it was working to 'protect people and property' at the site.
