In March this year, at a planning meeting which granted permission for 164 homes to be built at Cwmgelli in Blackwood, resident David Chivers warned the development would increase the risk of flooding.

On the night of Monday, October 4, during heavy rainfall, those fears were realised.

Residents living on the nearby Cwmgelli Villas were forced to take quick action to protect their homes.

Terrence Watkins, who has lived at Cwmgelli Villas for 12 years, said: “We had bad rain for about an hour and a half. It caused the whole street to flood.

“It was the first bad weather we’ve had since work broke on the housing development. The existing culvert couldn’t handle the water from the field.”

Outline planning permission to build housing on the 5.89-hectare site at Cwmgelli was approved after an appeal in 2015.

Blackwood councillor Nigel Dix called council officials out on the night to help residents.

He said: “The mitigating measures put in to prevent flooding were overwhelmed, but the quick action of residents helped keep water away from the houses.

“The developers had removed the grass and commenced work on the access road. The heavy rain water drained onto the main road and towards Cwmgelli Villas. The water was full of silt, which blocked the drains.

“If it wasn’t for the quick response by residents, who unblocked the drains, properties would have been flooded.”

Cllr Dix added: “It appears that inadequate flood prevention measures had been constructed, which resulted in the flooding. Residents and councillors have spoken to the council asking for action to be taken to prevent more flooding.”

Mr Watkins said: “We’ve had much worse weather than this, but I’ve been here for 12 years and never seen flooding this bad.

“Luckily there was no damage to any of the houses this time. Residents did everything in their power to prevent damage, such as pulling up drain covers, clearing the drains to help water pass and putting up sandbags.

“Heading into winter, we’re concerned about our homes. Where is this water going to go?”

Developers Taylor Wimpey said additional measures to manage surface water are now in place and will work with residents.

A Caerphilly County Borough Council spokesperson said: “The Local Planning Authority refused planning permission for residential development at this site, but this was subsequently allowed at appeal by the Chief Planning Inspector subject to a number of conditions including those relating to drainage.

“The developer has maintained ongoing dialogue with the Local Planning Authority and has resolved all outstanding issues relating to pre-commencement conditions, however, a planning application is currently pending determination for the provision of off-site drainage works to serve the proposed houses.

“At this stage development of the houses has not commenced but the developer has carried out some site set-up works using their permitted development rights.”