Plans submitted for flood defences to protect blackspot

BLUEPRINTS for a long-awaited scheme to protect hundreds of homes and businesses in one of York’s worst flooding blackspots and replace ageing defences dating back three decades have been unveiled.

The Environment Agency confirmed yesterday that a planning application for the £3.2 million project for the Water End and Leeman Road area of the city has been handed in to York Council.

The neighbourhood has a long history of flooding, and the current defences which were built in the early 1980s were almost breached during the flooding disaster which hit York in 2000.

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Environmentalists have warned that the risk of flooding is expected to increase with the advent of climate change.

The new scheme, which will protect up to 400 homes and businesses, is being jointly funded by the Environment Agency and York Council, which has already committed £1m towards the project.

The Environment Agency’s project manager, Helen Tattersdale, said: “This is the final hurdle before we can start construction, which is due to begin later this year. We will make sure our works are carried out with the minimum of disruption to local residents.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to thank local residents and business owners for all their interest and involvement in helping us develop the scheme, it will be a significant boost to everyone in the area once the new defences are in place.”

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The planning application includes proposals to raise the height of the existing Leeman Road defences as well as building a new wall along a section of Water End. Temporary defences will also be employed which can be put across Landing Lane to halt the advance of flood waters.

The Environment Agency’s officials have been working with Northern Power Grid on the plans to move a high voltage power cable in the area.

The severe flooding along the River Ouse in 2000 meant sandbags had to be added to the height of the existing defences to prevent water entering nearby homes and businesses. Surface water also contributes to flooding in the area and, during extreme conditions, pumps have been needed to keep the levels down.

A date for when the application will be considered by the council has yet to be finalised.

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