Thanks all for replies, to get this on the right footing I have to give a bit of background and I am not a local but definitely regarded as a yokel. Not enough in writing.
OK a small bit of background, this matter has been ongoing since 2007 or earlier. I have been poorly since 2009 but I had in fact thought the issue had been resolved, ie flood prevention put in down the road from me, storm drains, and a big pump working 24 hours non stop when rains arrive. So no flood until this bad spell. I am not bothered any more but my other half is panicking.
Why do I think council is involved? The land at rear of me is crag and slopes away so lower level than my garden. This is the important bit, the council dumped a lot of rubble back in 2005/06. I had my engineer, who was helping with house renovation, look at flooding in 2007, who I had then, recommended to me by my TD, established that rubble was dumped illegally.
So as far as I was concerned the council dumped the rubble, raised ground level, had been contacted by my engineer and matter would be resolved. At that time as well, I was contacted by someone from the council by phone, they asked me for directions to exact site and said they were examining it to do a report. But when I asked for a copy of the report they said no I would not be allowed to see it. Now this is around 2007 so I am hazy.
At that time as well , 07/08 owner of land at rear put in a planning application to erect dwellings and I saw the plans and it did show the land would need to be raised. It did have a proviso that a drain would be installed, a french drain was , mentioned. In fact I was moving in at this time and knew the neighbours adjacent to me, not that well, but I did in fact type up the objection and gave it to one of the neighbours to proof read but he promptly signed it himself and took it to planning. I may have a copy somewhere but on my 2nd desktop pc since then.
Long story, bust came and development ceased but occasionally I would see diggers at the back doing a bit of levelling. I would quiz them to be told we are doing as instructed ie raising ground to same level as my back garden. I explained that was not a good idea as that would push water into my garden. And work would cease near my boundary. No flood so I got on with my life. Also on occasions I would see cattle in there!
I moved in oct 07 and had garden landscaped sept 08 and it looked good. But some laurels on boundary wall died and gardener said water logged. Anyway the bed was raised and they grew. I am also aware that the water table is high where we live. It was last week a second neighbour approached me as he is getting water now as well. I went into field on Friday and most of it has been raised and levelled and a house is being built on a part of it where rubble was dumped. Also more rubble has been dumped. I have taken loads of pictures. I also learned the council are now leasing part of the land, have cleared it, built a block wall and may store machinery.
So what has been left near my boundary is an area that is very low in relation to rest of site, old trees have been pulled up and put in piles, loads of what I called ballast is dotted around in areas that are now full of water and a mini lake has formed.
It was the council that dumped the rubble so council must have sought and got permission of owner so council are the cause behind my garden flooding.
I hope that explains the background but on examining the situation closely over the weekend it could be argued the area always flooded and I have to live with it. My contention is that raising the ground level will affect me adversely. However, and this is the killer if I make too much of a fuss there is a possibility owner could fill in remainder of land and then I will be in the poo forever.
I think I should get an engineers report and a solicitors letter but I know no one and that is the crux of the matter. I am also thinking of investing in a pump and if it gets too close pumping it away.
All the above is from memory and if I got a better deal from the local councillor or the council engineer last Friday I would probably be happy but they have been so evasive I am worried myself now.
To finish I sent a text to said councillor saying I was disappointed he did not call or even ring to say he was help up. To say I am gobsmacked with his reply, is putting it mildly. These are a few excerpts.
"No problem but patience is a virtue, things went against me yesterday and it was also a church holiday. I can still call if you like but I will leave that up to yourself. " And this bit......" I also have relevant forms if you are interested in registering to vote" I am registered.
Now you can get a gist of why I am confused.
noah
ps I have learnt my lesson, I have already written to TD with photos, tried to send them to council but they bounced it back, their server could not handle size but I will amend it. And I will send a letter to county manager and cc it to TD.