Backing urged for flood water lagoon scheme to protect homes

The Environment Agency is seeking planning permission to build a flood storage lagoon in a field on the outskirts of Hessle.

It would be capable of holding up to 33,200 cubic metres of water and would act as an overflow to Western Drain, where Michael Barnett, 28, died from hypothermia after getting stuck in surging flood water while trying to clear debris.

The 2m project is opposed by Hessle Town Council, which said there are still "issues to be resolved", and nine letters of objection have been submitted by residents.

As well as claiming they have not been properly consulted, residents say the development would be an eyesore and spoil their view of open fields.

Some fear the water would leave sewage in the lagoon when it drains, creating unpleasant smells and health hazards, and lead to problems with rats and flies at nearby homes.

Others claim it would create a drowning hazard to children tempted to swim in the reservoir in summer, or that they may fall through ice in winter. But Bob Tress, Hessle ward councillor at East Riding Council, is backing the plans and said many of the fears were unfounded.

He said: "Ninety-nine per cent of the time it will not have any water in it. The only time it will is during a huge storm and it's unlikely there is going to be anybody swimming then.

"I think the answer is to hold the water back so that the culvert can take a lesser flow.

"What happens is there's a weir at a certain point leading to the Western Drain and when it goes above that it flows into this flood area, and when the level drops again the water goes back into Western Drain; it's just a temporary reservoir."

He said he thought they were "scratting around" for reasons to object. "The original reason was they would be flooded, but that would mean the reservoir overflowing.

"It's for a one-in-75-year flood event and I think that (overflowing) is unlikely to happen, and there's a wall at the low side to prevent overflowing, except in a one-in-a-1,000-year storm, and if that happens the whole of Hessle is going to flood."

Asked if the lagoon would have prevented Mr Barnett's death – he became trapped by a temporary screen in a torrent of floodwater – Coun Tress said: "My guess is it would, yes."

A report to East Riding Council's Planning Committee this week recommends the scheme is approved.

Subject to consent, construction would take place over a 15-week period between June and October, during which there would be about 138 journeys by lorry to and from the site each day.

Some excavated materials may be used to strengthen flood defences in Brough, with the remainder going to landfill.

The agency said it had considered a number of options to alleviate flooding in Western Drain, and the lagoon would be effective and offer the best value for money.

Responding to concerns about the potential dangers to children raised as part of an eight-month public consultation, it said: "We consider the health and safety aspects throughout the design of a scheme and we will not build anything which leaves a health and safety risk to either the public or Environment Agency staff."

It said it would install fences and signs to prevent access and warn of the dangers.

More than 6,000 homes in the East Riding were damage ed in the 2007 floods, making it the second worst affected authority in the country.