The Benacre and Kessingland Flood Risk Management scheme is a complex managed realignment project which will address coastal, fluvial, and pluvial flood risk alongside challenging coastal erosion issues.
The project is a catchment-scale, partnership approach to managing the flood risk in the Lothingland and Kessingland Valley, Suffolk. This large river valley sits within an Internal Drainage Board district, who are project managing the scheme on behalf of a wider partnership of risk management authorities and local stakeholders.
The valley has no formal flood defences and is solely reliant on eroding soft dunes for protection. The frontage had been afforded natural protection from a large sand and shingle ridge, Benacre Ness, which is slowly moving northwards (18m/yr at the southern end) and has left the coast exposed.
The 2012 Suffolk Shoreline Management plan recommended managing the coast in situ in the short term and developing adaptive options for delivery after 2025.
Erosion of the Benacre frontage has however, been more rapid than predicted and now needs to be addressed as soon as possible with a viable sustainable capital solution to protect 44 homes, over 600ha of farmland, major tourism businesses including Africa Alive Safari Park, and the main A12 road.
Since the 2013 surge, 13 organisations and businesses have been working together to develop a scheme that aims to deliver a range of new and enhanced habitats and social and economic benefits to the local community and surrounding area – positive change indeed!
Benefits from the scheme include:
- 35 residential properties receive reduced flood risk
- 46 commercial properties receive reduced flood risk
- 97ha of new intertidal habitat
- 52km of river enhanced
- Flood Protection to the A12
- 11million m3 of potentially available freshwater resources protected.
- 600ha of farmland in the floodplain receive reduced flood risk
- Water Abstraction within the valley protected
The £28.2m scheme now has full funding and construction is due to start in 2023. Funding includes – Defra Summer Economic Fund, Asset Replacement Allowance, Grant in Aid, Local Levy and Suffolk County Council Highways Funding. Find out more at www.wlma.org.uk.