Hundreds attend the chaotic Chalfont St Peter flood meeting

Around 350 people attended the Gold Hill Hub along Church Lane after the Environmental Agency, Thames Water and delegates from the council agreed to meet with those impacted in the area.

This comes after heavy rain since January has caused various parts of the civil parish to be underwater, causing floods and sewage issues, which have impacted many businesses and households.  

However, it was led to believe that the two-hour event on April 16 was going to be an open Q&A, with representatives from each organisation sitting on a panel.

Many people were in attendance (Image: NQ)

Instead, residents were met with a workshop-type convention, with tables of leaflets and flyers being distributed.

One local, who has lived in Chalfont St Peter for several years, described the format as a ‘disgrace’.

He said: “People have come here to hear what Thames Water have to say, and these little booths and tables are not the way to go about it.

A Q&A eventually took place with Cllr Martin Tett (second from the right), leading the talk (Image: NQ)

“Lots of people here, and many won’t be able to see or hear what they have to say.

“This isn’t a public meeting, this is an opportunity for these organisations to duck issues and the reality in my opinion is that they don’t have a solution.

“Everyone has been conned.”

“This is an emasculation of democracy.”

Another person said: “It’s ludicrous.

“They knew exactly what they were doing when they set up this type of format.”

After several residents made their feelings known to each of the companies, Cllr Tett addressed the angry crowd and openly apologised for the way the event had been organised.

Many accused the council, along with Thames Water and the Environmental Agency of shirking responsibility as some locals felt the convention-style layout was not the correct way to get the opinions of the people across.

Mr Tett said: “I live locally in Chalfont St Peter and come down here regularly and have seen what the area is like – not just this year, but also in 2014 when the floods hit.

The initial format was not received well, as many locals felt confused and insult due to a lack of answers (Image: NQ)

“We misjudged this evening and I want to apologise to everyone here as we got it wrong.”

David Harding, an engineer for Thames Water who joined the council leader on the stage with five other delegates, added: "It was our honest belief that a workshop drop-in session would be the best way to speak to all of you in the most detail.

“That wasn’t the wish of the room.

“Apologies if this was a bit impromptu as I wasn’t expecting to be up here addressing everyone this evening, but essentially, this is a long-term issue which is a very difficult fix.”

Following the criticism, an open Q&A was eventually held.