PLANS to build a new flood defence scheme for Tenbury Wells have officially been paused due to a huge gap in available funding.
Over £17 million had been allocated to the scheme, however following a review of proposals a funding gap of between £8 and £13 million has been identified.
Proposals for the scheme, which included walls, embankments and flood gates, were developed by the Environment Agency with partners and the local community.
Alternative ways of increasing community resilience to flooding, including Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures such as installing flood resistant doors or door barriers, non-return valves and pumps and Natural Flood Management (NFM) options will now be explored.
Marc Lidderth, Environment Agency Area Director, West Midlands, explained: “After agreeing what a final design proposal of the scheme would be, the complexity to construct it and its associated costs means that at present it is not possible to progress without securing all of the required funding.
“Although this is not the position we wanted to be in, we continue to be fully committed to supporting the community of Tenbury Wells in looking at alternative options to help better protect those impacted by flooding.
“We remain open to the possibility of a built scheme in the future if the funding is available and will continue to engage with the local community as we explore other ways to reduce flood risk.”
The town’s MP for West Worcestershire, Dame Harriett Baldwin, has long campaigned for the flood defence scheme has described the news as ‘disappointing’ and ‘frustrating’.
Dame Harriett has pledged to continue efforts to secure the scheme and is urging local property owners to come forward to sign up for individual property protection assessments.
The MP has also agreed to host a delegation of local people to meet with ministers in Westminster so they can press the case for funding of the flood defence scheme.
A new funding window will be agreed soon, and the Government will consult on how major schemes, like the one planned for Tenbury, will be funded later this year.
Dame Harriett said: “This is disappointing news for Tenbury residents and businesses I echo the frustration local people are feeling.
“While I personally would like to see the scheme moved forward to planning permission, I am told that this is not possible.
“After ten years of lobbying I am told that the Environment Agency definitely have current funding available to help Tenbury with property level protection and natural flood management and I am calling on local home and business owners to come forward quickly and start the ball rolling on getting improvements carried out as soon as possible.
“I pledge again to do all I can to get a permanent flood scheme built if at all possible. In the meantime, there are hundreds of houses that could access cash to protect themselves if they want.”
The MP was also reassured that both the flooding minister, Emma Hardy MP and the chief executive of the Environment Agency plan to visit Tenbury to see the challenges of delivering the complicated full scheme and learn how they can help.
Dame Harriett has also spoken to local Worcestershire County councillors who will review how the council supports the town during times of flooding.
Malvern Hills District Council has also agreed to step up to help property owners navigate current planning restrictions which may currently be hindering individual property protection.
