Flood project paused over heritage impact fears

The new flood barrier would have to be 60m (197ft) longer than originally planned

A question mark has been put over the future of a flood defence scheme in Nottinghamshire due to its potential impact on an archaeological area.

The county council's plans to build a 250m (820ft) embankment, known as a bund, across parkland at Potwell Dyke near Southwell Minster, were approved in January.

But the authority has now said the bund, to be effective, would have to be 60m (197ft) longer, which could affect nearby Roman remains.

Officials said they were consulting with Historic England to understand whether the larger design was likely to get new planning consent, but they would "explore alternatives to the scheme if it cannot go ahead in the revised form".

Nottingham Road, near the town's leisure centre, flooded in October 2023

The scheme is designed to protect 36 properties and reduce the risk to more by holding back water from Potwell Dyke and allowing it to be released slowly.

Southwell suffers regular flooding, most notably in 2013 when 300 properties were affected, the council added.

The Potwell Dyke area contains remains of Roman structures, possibly associated with the nearby villa.

The new design would also be taller than the original 2.5m (8.2ft) and mean the closure of a popular local footpath, the authority confirmed.

A spokesman for the council said: "The Potwell Dyke scheme is one of a number of flooding measures which make up the Southwell Flood Alleviation Scheme, and the county council will continue to work closely with local partners to explore alternatives to the scheme if it cannot go ahead in the revised form."