Homes and businesses in the historical Worcestershire village of Severn Stoke are to be protected, as part of a £1.8m flood mitigation scheme being progressed by the Environment Agency.
Under the scheme, permanent flood protection will be installed in the village, which has suffered significant flooding from the River Severn in recent years, most notably in 2007, 2012 and February 2020.
The £1.8m flood mitigation embankment scheme will provide protection from flooding to 18 homes and businesses, including the 14th Century, Grade II listed St Deny’s Church, the 500-year-old Rose and Crown pub, and the village hall.
The flood mitigation scheme has been developed in partnership with Worcester County Council and Malvern Hills District Council.
Local transport disruption from flooding will also be mitigated through the scheme, which will protect the nearby A38 trunk road, a busy local road connection.
The design of the scheme, which includes the construction of an embankment around the southern side of the village and raising a section of the village’s Ham Lane, will be completed at the end of this year, with construction commencing in 2022.
The Environment Agency is currently completing the mandatory planning obligations for the work.
Environmental enhancements are also planned to be included in the work, including increasing both the number and diversity of tree species, incorporation of a pollinator corridor along the ‘
Environment Agency Manager for Worcester, David Throup said: “The Environment Agency is grateful for the support we have received from Worcestershire County Council and Malvern Hills District Council. This is enabling us to deliver this much needed scheme for Severn Stoke.
“Flooding has a devastating impact which is why protecting people and communities is our top priority.”
Cllr Tony Miller, Cabinet Member for the Environment, added: “We’re really pleased to be able to help support the delivery of this scheme, to a local community in Worcestershire, that has been severely affected by flooding in recent years.
“We have been monitoring the scheme since it was first proposed, and it is great news that the preparations ahead of work starting on the scheme are going well. I look forward to seeing the progress as the scheme develops, and the benefits the scheme will have on the village of Severn Stoke once it is completed.”
