Plans to cut flooding risk unveiled

The Environment Agency has drawn up a proposed scheme to reduce the flood risk posed by Eller Beck, Waller Hill Beck, and Ings Beck which could swell quickly and affect homes, businesses and local amenities if intense rainfall is concentrated on the surrounding moors and hills.

The agency’s preferred option is to create two flood storage areas upstream, across Eller Beck at Skipton Golf Course and across Waller Hill Beck between the A65 and Otley Road, in addition to raising the height of defences in the town.

It says the development will be “carefully designed so that it causes no adverse affects to communities downstream as well as providing opportunities to create new wildlife habitats”.

Residents and businesses in and around Skipton are being invited to attend drop-in sessions to discuss the plans.

The sessions will be held tomorrow at Skipton Town Hall on High Street, from 11am until 2pm and from 3pm until 7pm.