A VILLAGE in Malvern District which has flooded several times in recent years is set to get a defence against deluges as part of a £1.8million scheme.
The Environment Agency is carrying out pre-construction work for the flood alleviation scheme to protect homes and businesses in Severn Stoke.
The flood alleviation project will provide better protection from the devastating impact of flooding to 18 homes and businesses. This includes the Grade II listed, 14th century St Deny’s Church, the 500-year-old Rose and Crown pub and the village hall.
The scheme is being developed in partnership with Worcestershire County Council and Malvern Hills District Council. It will also better protect the nearby A38, preventing disruption to the busy trunk road and the adjacent Severn Trent Water pumping station.
Work will soon start on the final site clearance necessary to allow the flood embankment to be built.
Trees removed and trees to be planted
Around 60 trees will be removed before the nesting season begins and 20 nesting boxes are being installed to provide alternative nesting space for birds and a further 10 for bats.
Marc Lidderth, Environment Agency Manager for Shropshire and Worcestershire, said: “The flood embankment scheme is a much-needed development for Severn Stoke to better protect properties from the devastation of flooding.
“The removal of some trees in the area is necessary to enable us to start work on the embankment.
“We will be planting six times as many trees as we are removing across the area and ensuring birds have nesting boxes for the spring.
“We are also removing the trees in sections so as not to damage any habitats, such as those of the Great Crested Newt.”
The Environment Agency will be planting 360 trees in the Malvern District area as compensation for the loss of trees on site.
The scheme will also incorporate a pollinator corridor along the ‘dry side’ of the embankment and place bird and bat boxes throughout the scheme area.
An archaeological investigation is also taking place on the site after evidence was found of a medieval settlement in the field south of St Deny’s Church including roof tiles, pots, stoneware and fabric.
Mr Lidderth added: “It is important that we establish if there are any important historical findings on the site before we begin the construction of the project.
“Once this has been fully investigated, we will be able to begin work on the embankment.”
Coun Richard Morris, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, added: “Worcestershire County Council continues to actively support the Environment Agency and the Severn Stoke community in their delivery of this scheme.
“Further reducing the risk of flooding is a priority for the Council and this is an important part of a wide-ranging programme of activity to do so.”
The Environment Agency provides a flood warning service for Severn Stoke.
People wanting more information can call the 24-hour Floodline service on 0345 988 1188 for any ongoing flood related queries or advice.
Residents are being advised the best way to protect themselves from flooding is to know what to do in advance.
They should download a simple Prepare, Act, Survive plan so they know what to do when there is a flood warning in their area. People can sign up for flood warnings here.
Across the country, the Environment Agency has led projects to deliver flood schemes that has seen 314,000 homes better protected since 2015. Yet the Environment Agency is delivering more.
Last year the Government announced a record £5.2 billion investment in flood and coastal defences to build around 2,000 new flood and coastal defences and better protect 336,000 properties by 2027.
