Flood defences to protect hundreds of properties

The Environment Agency said the defences would protect hundreds of properties

Plans for flood defences to protect hundreds of properties in a town have been approved.

Westmorland and Furness Council has given permission for a 489ft-long (148m) flood wall along the River Kent in Kendal town centre, Cumbria.

A previous attempt by the Environment Agency (EA) to get the plans approved had stalled, after residents complained the wall would sever the conservation area.

Richard Knight, flood risk manager at the EA, said the the project would protect properties "against the very real threat of flooding".

An initial plan for flood defences at New Road was approved in 2019, but the EA had to amend them in light of "additional topographical data".

Anti-social behaviour

A planning hearing in May delayed a decision on revised plans - which included a shorter wall to allow access to New Road Common - to allow the EA time to explain how it explored different options and reached a decision on the final design.

It followed concerns by residents that the wall would provide a "hiding place" for anti-social behaviour.

The plans approved this week will help protect 383 homes and businesses in Kendal and are part of a wider flood management scheme to protect 4,000 properties in the area.

Mr Knight said the EA had listened to people's concerns.

He added: "It is important to get the scheme built as quickly as possible to protect the homes and businesses in this area of Kendal."