Cottingham lagoons could be answer to flooding
East Riding Council favours ambitious £450,000 plans for seven lagoons to retain water which is part of a wider £3.7m flood prevention programme.
The attenuation scheme will hold back 20,000 cubic metres of water from cascading down the Raywell Valley.
Most of the design work has been done and council officials are now looking to purchase the land, some of which is owned by Hull City Council and NHS Hull, who have expressed their support.
The council's principal engineer Michael Ball said: "A sustainable drainage system is concerned with holding water back.
"What caused flooding in this area in 2007 was the surge falling down the valley.
"If we can control that then we will reduce the risk of flooding dramatically."
Councillor Matthew Grove, portfolio holder for emergency planning, is excited by the project.
He said: "Rather than sorting out ancient drains, this scheme will prevent the water reaching the village to begin with.
"This is far more cost-effective and causes less disruption."
Cottingham Parish Council has also welcomed the scheme.
Councillor Kevin Casson said: "This will give people in Cottingham some piece of mind."
But not everyone is enamoured by the project.
John Goodman, of the Cottingham Flood Action Group, said: "The lagoons would hold about 20,000 cubic metres of water and we are not sure this is adequate.
"We also feel the lagoons are too close to the village and should be higher up the valley.
"The council has consulted us but we don't feel we have really been listened to."