FIFTY homes hit by flooding four years ago will be protected from future downpours, it is hoped, thanks to a £600,000 defence project.

The village of Witton Gilbert, west of Durham City, suffered severely during a heavy downpour in June 2012, when a beck burst its banks and flooded several properties nearby.

In response, Durham County Council developed a new flood defence scheme, boosted by funding from the Environment Agency.

Dene Burn from the White Tun pub towards Brookside has been altered with the construction of terraces, weirs and flow controls to manage the water during severe storms.

Ditches behind Brookside have been extended, to divert water away from houses and towards the basins.

Five new basins have been created at the rear of Durham Gardens and South Lea, capable of holding up to 1,000 cubic metres of rain water that would otherwise flow through the village.

It is hoped 50 properties that were affected by the 2012 floods will now be protected.

Councillor Brian Stephens, the council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “I am delighted that this work has been completed and very much hope that it will provide peace of mind to local people who have previously suffered the effects of flooding caused by severe weather.

“The scheme is designed to protect streets and properties from any further flood damage by diverting rain and surface water away towards the new basins.”

John Reed, the council's head of technical services, added: “The flooding of homes and businesses can have a devastating impact on people’s lives.

“We have worked successfully with the Environment Agency and local landowners to construct a flood prevention scheme to protect homes and businesses in Witton Gilbert from flooding in the future.”

In a joint statement, Esh and Witton Gilbert county councillors Joe and Barbara Armstrong said: “The villagers can sleep a little sounder in their beds now, particularly those south of the White Tun. It’s a first-class job.”

Cllr Mark Wilkes, who previously represented the area and pushed for the project, added: “So many residents can now feel safe in their homes and local facilities are now more sustainable as there is less risk of shops in the centre of the village flooding.”

The Environment Agency put £415,000 into the project, supported by £202,000 from the council. Work began on site in January last year and finished late last year, but the project has now been formally completed.