Skegness Gateway: Residents to help pay for £151m flood plan

An artist's impression showing the Skegness Gateway scheme

People moving into 1,000 homes being built in Skegness as part of a major expansion to the town will contribute towards the cost of protecting them from flooding, those behind the scheme have said.

According to the landowners, a £151m flood risk resilience fund is being created to mitigate risk.

It will operate via a "management fee".

In March, East Lindsey District Council approved plans for the Skegness Gateway development.

Landowners and siblings Sue Bowser and Neil Sanderson, of Croftmarsh, are part of a fifth generation family in Skegness

Despite fears over flooding, councillors approved a local development order (LDO) for the scheme, which also includes provision for a new crematorium, green open space, college and local centre.

Sue Bowser, of Croftmarsh, the company involved in the project, said: "The Gateway team take the issue of flooding very seriously.

"It's one of the key reasons we have generated this funding, which contributes positively to schemes that maintain and mitigate against the risks posed by flooding and water management.

"We've worked hard to come up with a solution that not only protects our development, but also our wider home of Skegness, closely collaborating with the Environment Agency and East Lindsey District Council."

The Skegness Gateway project has reignited the debate on development in flood risk zones

Ms Bowser said regenerating the area is "hugely important to us as a fifth-generation family in the area".

So-called "flood compensation areas" form part of the proposals.

Ms Bowser's brother, Neil Sanderson, also of Croftmarsh, added: "What we have here is a solution that is bespoke for our town, allowing regenerative efforts to flourish whilst contributing positively to flood defence strategies being undertaken by public sector organisations."

Councillor Steve Kirk, the council's portfolio holder for coastal economy, said flooding "must always be taken extremely seriously".