Fourteen landowners and farmers will be better protected from potentially catastrophic flooding thanks to a new £1.8m sea defence project.
Located in Wrangle, Lincolnshire, 5km of sea defence - which protects 3,400 hectares of prime grade one farmland – has been substantially improved to reduce the risk of highly-dangerous flooding.
The potential threat was highlighted by the collapse of adjacent sea defences during the tidal surge of December 2013.
The project involved re-profiling the sea banks and raising them to more than seven metres high with a rear slope leading to a further drainage system in case of particularly high tides.
A project board was created to enable the works to be carried out between the Witham Fourth District Internal Drainage Board, the Environment Agency, Lincolnshire County Council and fourteen landowners and farmers.
The increased threat from rising sea levels and extreme weather events to those who live and work in low lying areas, such as farmers, meant it was important the project got underway.
'Damage to valuable farmland'
One farmer was Hugh Drake, who was represented by law firm Roythornes which sat on the project board. He farms approximately 800 acres on the northern edge of the Wrangle project, growing wheat, vining peas, brassicas and potatoes.
Mr Drake said: “The government's recognition of the vulnerability of the sea-defences on the western side of the Wash has been a great step forward and follows the damage done by the events of December 2013.
“In those parts of the sea-banks where there is only a single line of defence, the risks of flood damage to valuable farmland, residents and property, as well as the substantial business enterprises in the area, have now been addressed and the Wrangle project is a step in the right direction to improve the resilience of the sea-defence.”
For the first time Environment Agency funds, together with EU funding, were spent by the Internal Drainage Board acting as project leader.
'Highly sensitive project'
Simeon Disley, partner at Roythornes, represented the fourteen farmers and landowners. He is also a committee member of The Wash Frontage Group - a group which campaigns for improvements in the sea defences around The Wash – and has extensive knowledge of the area.
Mr Disley said: “It was a highly sensitive project as the area sits alongside a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) so the environmental considerations were crucial to the development and design of the bank.
“We were also keen to retain as much of the important agricultural land as possible for grazing and food production.”
He added: “We regularly advise our clients on the ever-changing complexities that the ownership of agricultural land presents and in addition to representing the landowners and farmers, we supported the project with practical and strategic legal advice throughout the innovative scheme.
“I’m therefore delighted that a solution was reached and the land is now fully protected. The sea defences can now keep pace with climate change to help protect the homes and businesses located on the Wash,” he said.
The project followed a major survey in 2016 to identify the existing profile of the banks, collect environmental information and assess the full scope of the works.
