Kendal: Flood defence decision 'deplorable', objectors say

Groups, including The Open Spaces Society, said the work will damage the riverside common.

A decision to allow flood defence work in a Lake District town is "deplorable" and will impact on green space, campaign groups have said.

The Environment Agency (EA) has been given permission carry out work at New Road Common, Kendal, in a bid to protect 1,500 properties.

However, groups, including The Open Spaces Society, said the work will damage the riverside common.

The EA said it had to protect properties from "devastating" floods.

Kendal was particularly badly hit when Storm Desmond battered the UK in 2015.

The EA had to get the government's permission to carry out the work as it is on common land.

'Intrusive impact'

The Friends of the Lake District and Kendal Civic Centre have also objected to the move claiming it will restrict access to the common.

Ian Brodie, of the Open Spaces Society, said: "We deeply regret the further significant erosion of open green spaces adjacent to the river.

"While we understand the consideration of flood remediation schemes for Kendal, there are other ways of dealing with the defences without such a great and intrusive impact on people who want to enjoy the riverbank."

The defence work will also involve building new flood walls and a pumping station at Gooseholme.

A spokeswoman for the EA said: "The planning inspector did recognise the work at Gooseholme Park would have some impacts on the common, but she considered these were outweighed by the public benefit.

"We understand the balance between ensuring the town is protected from the devastation of flooding while also maintaining public facilities and access to nature which is why the improved design and landscape plans were shaped by feedback from the community."

She added that the flood defences would be built "using natural stone" and be located around the boundary of Gooseholme Park "with a flood gate to maintain public access to the riverside".

She also said that the pumping station would use of "fish-friendly pumps", which were "designed to protect fish as they move within the watercourse".