Plans for £9.5m village flood scheme announced

A number of flood alleviation schemes have already been completed in the East Riding, including this lagoon near Cottingham

Plans have been announced for a £9.5m flood alleviation scheme in an East Yorkshire village.

South Cave, north of Brough, has suffered from flooding on a number of occasions, including in 2007 and 2014, when a significant number of properties were affected.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said it had secured government funding to construct a new flood storage area to reduce the risk during heavy rainfall.

If approved, work could begin in 2028, a spokesperson added.

The proposals involve constructing an embankment on South Cave Beck to intercept and temporarily store excess flows from upstream, which officials said would help to protect the village's 166 residential and 20 non-residential properties.

The scheme has been awarded £7.4m from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, administered by the Environment Agency, as well as a £790,000 local levy contribution from the Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. The council will also make a contribution.

It follows the construction of a number of alleviation schemes in the East Riding, including a series of flood lagoons near Cottingham, which are designed to catch and store run-off water.

Councillor Paul West, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "I'm extremely pleased we've been able to secure funding for this vital scheme designed to help shield the residents and businesses in South Cave from the devastation of flooding.

"The continued investment by the local authority and partner agencies will help to mitigate future demands on the network as a result of environmental change."

Dean Hamblin, a senior advisor on flood risk management at the Environment Agency, added: "While we expect more extreme weather with the impacts of climate change, the scheme will reduce the likelihood of flooding and limit the wider impacts and disruption it brings in the future."

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