Wildlife campaigners fight scheme to stop flooding

Campaigners opposing the project along a 750 metre stretch of Pendle Water in Nelson fear the work could damage a neighbouring marsh and wildlife habitat.

The Environment Agency has applied for planning permission to construct flood alleviation measures, including news walls and embankments, along the river between Lomeshaye Industrial Estate and Victoria Park.

The agency also wants to build a new access road in the area.

Consultants Bullen, who were called in by the agency, produced a thick, glossy report to back their client's argument that the work was necessary. The report said the area was prone to flooding which had occurred 18 times in the past 130 years. The most recent incident was in 1992 when 49 homes and 19 businesses in Lomeshaye Business Park were flooded.

The report added that the area near Lomeshaye would be threatened by further floods unless improvement works were undertaken.

"Further flooding could seriously affect business and, in turn, the local economy.

"Construction work could lead to a temporary disruption to the tranquillity of Loamy Wood and Lomeshaye Marsh," it continued.

The report said work would only be carried out between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and 8am to noon on Saturdays to minimise disruption.

Concern about the scheme surfaced 12 months ago when the idea was put forward. Most of the 80 residents of Lomeshaye signed a petition opposing the scheme. Spokesman Andrew Clifford said it would have a devastating effect on Loamy Wood plant and wildlife sanctuary and neighbouring Lomeshaye Marsh nature reserve.

Mr Clifford said residents wanted to see the threat of flooding lifted but wanted the Environment Agency to look at less disruptive ways of controlling the river. The planning application is due to be discussed in September.

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