The proposed flood defence scheme to help tackle flooding in Looe has caused concern within the town.

In 2015 the Looe Harbour Commissioners funded work to design a new flood defence scheme for the town with the aim of tackling the recurring flooding which has been devastating the town for years.

Looe is already the most frequently flooded coastal town in the UK, so far costing £39-million in damage over the last five years and as sea levels rise it means flooding will get worse over time.

The proposed Looe Flood Defence Scheme and regeneration programme will include a tidal barrier which will close when flooding is likely, a southern breakwater to prevent overtopping from tidal surges, an extension to the Banjo Pier, a cut off wall below East Looe beach and a new walkway from Pennyland in the town to Hannafore.

It is hoped the development can be completed by 2027/28.

The scheme is in its key development stage, and the final proposed designs have been presented which has caused concern for some of the local people.

Ria Wigginton commented: “As a resident of Looe, I am against this potential building work. Why not just raise the existing harbour walls? I feel it detracts from the ‘old’ historic fishing village that it is and is a complete eyesore which is far too modern for Looe.”

At the rate that climate change is increasing, it has been predicted that sea levels will rise by more than one metre, which will threaten most areas of the town. Looe Flood Defence Scheme’s research has shown that Looe Quayside tidal flood levels in the future could reach over the current harbour walls, a factor which is predicted to see 16 hectares regularly flooded.

Local residents were given the opportunity to express their feelings about the plan at a discussion workshop in April.

Another Looe resident said: “I attended the Harbour Flood Defence discussion workshop and saw all the mock-ups, plus there is a video to show what they propose to do in the outer harbour. As you will see from the video, the whole harbour will be ruined by an ugly, concrete construction that is completely out of character for Looe and will make no difference at all to flooding.

“The Plan also fails to address issues about the species protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act, like the Giant Goby which Looe is a designated site for and the Stalked Jellyfish who live in the rocks at Hannafore. These are mentioned by both the Wildlife Trust and Natural England.”

The project aims to protect the entire town, harbour and fishing facilities as well as many homes in business in the area. Members of the Looe flood defence project team have carried out extensive surveys and assessments such as a waterfront, flood and erosion risk survey as well as a variety of environmental impact assessments.

Cllr Edwina Hannaford, of Looe Town Council, said: “The plans seem to be at an early stage in their development with many more studies to be undertaken to understand the impact on the beach, harbour, and the natural environment. This needs to be weighed against the economic benefits and protecting the town from flooding.”

The project is being led by Cornwall Council, Looe Harbour Commissioners, the Environment Agency, Looe Town Council, Looe Development Trust, West Looe Town Trust, East Looe Town Trust and the RNLI who have all been working together to form a solution to the problems.

Trish Hewitt, director for the Looe Flood Defence Scheme, said: “As part of this work, a series of public engagement events, in person and online, were recently held to seek views and feedback on the scale and design of the proposed breakwater structures.

“These are required to shelter vessels during construction and closure of the tidal barrier, to shelter the tidal barrier from wave action, and to provide greater tidal access for passenger boats. Two alternative layouts were presented to show the differences in scale of the structures and to seek input from the local community on the look of those structures.”

Cllr Hannaford added: “Should the scheme come to fruition, it will mean big changes to the look of the town, which does concern me.

“I hope the scheme developers will ensure local people are fully involved in shaping the scheme which will have to go through a full planning process anyway so local people can have their say with all the facts and evidence in front of them.”

Looe Development Trust does not have any comment to offer at this stage. There is still time for people to give their views on the proposals via the project’s Let’s Talk site: letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/admin/projects/looe-flood-defence