[Scuderia_Turini]

Similar story when I lived in Midlothian. Many houses being built in a sloping field with my street at the bottom of the slope. I wrote to council objecting on the basis that existing field absorbed much rainfall and the small ditch behind our houses coped with any run-off. Building on and tarmac-ing the field would mean the rain water would cascade down to our houses. Never heard from them. I departed before the houses were built but I heard that once the estate was established the houses at the bottom of the slope got water into the basements.  A lucky escape for me.

I was told that Local Authority Councillors pay/award is tied to the population count in the district so their default is to approve new housing.