Proposal to flood farmland sunk as studies reveal risk to homes

The Environment Agency has confirmed that it no longer plans to deliberately flood farmland at Leven Carrs, near Beverley, to protect 100,000 people living downriver in Hull.

An outcry greeted the original proposals, with more than 300 worried residents attending one public meeting.

In January the East Riding Council threatened legal action to force the agency to extend consultation.

Farmers and residents have welcomed the move, but say they will continue to fight for the future of four pumping stations the agency currently maintains in the middle and upper reaches of the River Hull.

Martin Voase, who has farmed at High Baswick all his life, and is a member of the River Hull Flood Action Group, was one of those who had argued against proposals that would have left thousands of acres flooded or semi-flooded permanently.

He said the battle was far from over: "The way I look at it is that we have got over the first hurdle and the problems that are to come are the pumping stations in the future and their maintenance, refurbishment and replacement over a fairly long period of time."

Environment advisor at the NFU, Laurie Norris welcomed the agency's change of heart, adding: "Local farmers have a massive knowledge of the area and finally the Environment Agency have consulted local farmers and internal drainage boards and have found out what farmers have been telling them all year – that this would have a much more detrimental impact on the area than the agency originally anticipated."

Craig McGarvey, area manager for Yorkshire, said they'd been surprised by the strength of local feeling when they first outlined the options. He said: "They were just high-level options, what we didn't realise Leven Carrs was so sensitive.

"As a result we have done a lot more detailed analysis and modelling and it would cause flooding to more properties then we realised.

"We have also talked to local farmers and internal drainage boards and they have provided us with much more information about how the drains work and how the land floods and we realised there was absolute opposition to this. It was going to provide very little flood benefit so we decided it wouldn't be worth pursuing any longer."

He insisted there was "no intention" to turn off the pumps, adding: "They are an essential part of East Yorkshire.

"Where there's a difficulty for the future is if they need replacing how that is funded."

Mr McGarvey said the big issue about reducing flooding to most properties in the city was the river banks – but most were owned privately and were in separate ownership.

Leader of East Riding Council, Coun Steve Parnaby, said: "The council is delighted that the Environment Agency has dropped proposals for Leven Carrs which will also come as a great relief to local people after a long-running campaign..

"The Environment Agency is continuing to work on the Hull and Coastal Streams Catchment Flood Management Plan and the River Hull Flood Management Strategy and we look forward to working with them on these."

The Environment Agency will be publishing a draft strategy in the spring. Consultations will begin in April.

The agency is urging anyone who wants to find out more about their work to contact Claire Glavina on 01904 822636.