FLOOD defences could be provided in a vulnerable Kent village if construction of a dam is given approval at a planning meeting on Wednesday.

Tonbridge and Malling council set aside around £250,000 for flood alleviation measures in East Peckham, Maidstone, following a particularly bad flood in the village in 2000.

A steering committee was also set up to investigate the best way of dealing with the acute problem.

Now, after four years of consultations, the committee has come up with a plan to build a dam at Bullen Farm in Bullen Lane, which is private land owned by a local man.

If a price can be negotiated with the land owner and planning permission granted, the works, which include an access lane, a borrow pit and a flood relief channel, could change the lives of people living in East Peckham and nearby Snoll Hatch.

Janis Cresswell, chair of East Peckham parish council, said: "Over the years, yes we have had problems, but over the last four years the floods have given us more problems than ever.

"The steering committee did surveys in the village to see what could be done and the best option to come out of it is that a dam is going to be built, hopefully, on land owned by a Mr Wheeler. They are in negotiations with him right now. Obviously they have to negotiate a price.

"We are supportive of the plans. We are going to be supportive of anything that is going to help us with the flooding."

The issue will be will discussed on Wednesday by members of an area planning committee.