Three historic villages dating back to 1086 could be reassigned from Berkshire to neighbouring Surrey in bid to protect them from Thames flooding

• Datchet, Wraysbury and Horton are in Berkshire, but could be moved into Surrey 
• The villages and surrounding areas were devastated by the flooding in 2014 
• A councillor says they would get more support in Surrey to prevent flooding

Three historic villages could be ‘moved’ into a different county under bizarre plans to prevent flooding.

Datchet, Wraysbury and Horton (DWH) are in Berkshire, but under the proposals could be moved into Surrey to get more financial support to prevent crises. 

The villages and surrounding areas were devastated by the flooding in 2014 when the River Thames burst its banks forcing the Army to be called in.

Now Councillor Ewan Larcombe, founder of the National Flood Prevention Party, wants them moved out of the control of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire.

He said: ‘The people of Datchet, Wraysbury and Horton would have to decide whether they want to remain in Windsor and Maidenhead and have no flood alleviation.

‘The fact is the people of DWH are still at an increased probability of flooding.’

Datchet, Wraysbury and Horton (DWH) are in Berkshire, but under the proposals could be moved into Surrey to get more financial support to prevent crises

Historic Datchet, which borders royal Windsor, is believed to have been inhabited since the end of the ice age – up to 10,000 years ago

Pictured: A couple promote the Piccola Venezia Italian restaurant by rowing their gondola through flood waters on February 12, 2014 in Datchet

Datchet (pictured during the flood) sits in the shadows of Windsor Castle – and Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson are said to have had secret meetings in the village

Historic Datchet, which borders royal Windsor, is believed to have been inhabited since the end of the ice age – up to 10,000 years ago.

It sits in the shadows of Windsor Castle – and Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson are said to have had secret meetings in the village.

Magna Carta Island – an ait in the River Thames – is in the parish of Wraysbury.

It is one of the sites traditionally suggested for the sealing of the Magna Carta in 1215.

Horton was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086; it was recorded as Hortune.

Magna Carta Island – an ait in the River Thames – is in the parish of Wraysbury (pictured)

Cllr Larcombe says the villages would get more financial support in Surrey to prevent flooding, but Cllr David Cannon, cabinet member for public protection, said the plan was badly timed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said: ‘The council has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the River Thames Scheme by budgeting over £10million to this scheme to date and committing up to another £43m, subject to Government enabling us to raise the funding to repay that amount.

‘Unfortunately, that change of legislation hasn’t yet happened and the council is still heavily lobbying Government for such a change.’

The River Thames Scheme is a £640million flood defence plan to protect homes in the area.

The RBWM has only put in £10million but Surrey County Council has secured £237million on their part of the scheme.

Cllr Larcombe thinks Surrey County Council takes the River Thames Scheme more seriously.

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