CONSTRUCTION could start on a major flood defence scheme for Looe as early as 2025 if funding from the Government is forthcoming, says Cornwall Council.

Sometimes described as ’the most frequently flooded town in the UK’, Looe has suffered from £39m in flood damage over the past five years. It’s vulnerable from both high sea water levels and wave action in the inner harbour and surface water flooding from intense rainfall – and sea levels are predicted to rise more than one metre over the next 100 years.

There’s been agreement for years that a tidal flood defence scheme is necessary in order to protect homes, businesses, road and rail connections - and to safeguard the town’s tourist economy, which is worth around £48.7 million and supports around 1500 jobs.

Last year Cornwall Council agreed £2.3m to support the development of the project. Since then, members and officers have been working with Looe Harbour Commissioners, Looe Town Council, Looe Development Trust, West Looe Town Trust, East Looe Town Trust, the Environment Agency, the RNLI and local MP Sheryll Murray to turn the draft design into an economically viable and environmentally friendly solution.

Current costs for the project are estimated at between £65 and £70 million, and a bid for funding is being prepared to be submitted to Government later this year.

Discussions are also planned with South West Water, Devon and Cornwall Police and Network Rail to encourage joint working and additional funding. The outline design of the scheme is also now being progessed with a detailed laser scan and sonar survey of the Harbour, Banjo Pier and Seawall.

Tina Hicks, Chief Executive of Looe Harbour Commissioners, is clear that the flooding is getting worse and that something needs to be done to prevent key local services being overcome in the future.

’The local community has been pushing for a permanent solution to be provided for the town for more than 20 years,’ she said.

’There was overwhelming support for the draft design put forward during the last public consultation event and I am pleased that the proposals presented are being taken forward.

’Not only will the scheme safeguard the entire town centre, fishing fleet and harbour from increasingly frequent tidal flooding and allow the emergency services to remain operational, it will also support the regeneration of Looe and the wider South East Cornwall economy.’

Reducing the risk of flooding will give confidence to existing and incoming businesses, said the harbourmaster – and this will go hand in hadn with other regeneration projects such as improved rail links, 24/7 access to new sea and coastal ferry links, and the development of a new south east Cornwall cycle hub.

Like many in the town, Tina Hicks wants to see Looe known as a ’thriving fishing port and a key tourist destination, rather than being seen as the most frequently flooded town in the country’.

The Looe Flood Defence proposal includes:

A tidal barrier which will be closed when a flood warning is issued

An inner breakwater which will prevent overtopping of the flood gates during tidal surges and a shelter for vessels when the flood gates are closed

An extension to the Banjo pier, creating a low water landing stage providing all day easy access to the harbour. This may have the additional benefit of improved bathing water quality.

A cut-off wall below East Looe beach to prevent tidal flooding bypassing the tidal barrier.

A new walkway from Pennyland in the town to Hannafore to provide access to the coast path and protected access off the main road.

Work on developing the strategic outline case is due to be completed in the summer when it will be presented to ministers, and if this receives support, a detailed business case will be developed to be presented to the Government. Once funding is approved the scheme could be constructed as early as 2025/2027.