The construction of two new natural flood defences could be placed along tributaries of the River Irwell in Rossendale thanks to an investment boost from the previous government.
A planning application has been submitted to Rossendale Borough Council to develop a clay core earth bund and timber sluice to control water levels at sites in Water and at Far Bank Top Farm.
The development, which is delivered through the Environment Agency, is one of 40 projects across the country that were laid out by former Floods Minister Robbie Moore under the previous Conservative government.
David Brown, from the Environment Agency, said: “These projects help deliver the Government's 25 Year Environment Plan to leave a legacy of environmental improvement.
“It fits in with the Environment Agency strategic flood risk aim to increase the nation’s resilience to flooding and to adapt to the impacts of predicted climate change.
“Natural flood management processes aim to protect, restore, and mimic the natural functions of catchments, floodplains and the coast to slow and store water.
“The proposed natural flood management interventions at Whitewell Brook are not significant; most natural flood management schemes are designed to nudge water within the existing landscape to hold and store it temporarily.
“These works are considered necessary for the improvement and maintenance of the hydrological function of the catchment area.
“These are the sort of interventions we are looking to promote on a wider scale, across the landscape, to provide that climate resilience.
“The aim is to go for small and numerous interventions rather than large and fewer.”
Dean Lane, Forest Holme and Lumb, and Whitewell and Piercy are expected to directly benefit from the scheme, with additional benefits felt downstream on the River Irwell.
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The site forms part of a ‘phase 2’ extension of the existing natural flood management scheme, with three sites within Whitewell Brook having already been completed.
Currently, the sites are said to be delivering flood risk reduction as well as benefits to habitat, biodiversity, improved water quality, carbon sequestration, and the maintenance of flows during drought periods.
A planning application said: “These additional interventions will extend the benefits of Phase 1 with additional interventions across this and the other referenced site to slow the flow of water and temporarily store peak flows in the landscape to reduce flood levels downstream.”
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