Flood defences for Tonbridge and the surrounding area are to be improved following a decision to award more than £2million of Local Growth Fund (LGF) support by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).
At its September Accountability Board meeting on Friday (September 14th), SELEP agreed to contribute £2.349million towards improvements to the Leigh Flood Storage area and local embankments in the Hildenborough area.
Increasing flood reservoir water level, releasing housing development
This will allow the Environment Agency to increase the flood reservoir water level from 28.05 metres to 29 metres at Leigh, upgrade an existing embankment near Hawden Farm in Hildenborough, and install a new control structure and pumping station to prevent water from the Medway backing up into the village.
The Accountability Board heard that when the project is completed in 2023, 1,475 homes and 200 businesses will be better protected from flooding, while 50 jobs will be created or safeguarded and 100 associated jobs will be created through the unlocking of commercial sites.
Geoff Miles, Chair of the Accountability Board and Kent Vice Chair of SELEP, said: “While the current Leigh Flood Storage Area provides some flood protection to Tonbridge and the surrounding area, in the winter of 2013/14 its capacity was breached and the area suffered serious flooding that affected 311 homes and more than 100 local businesses.
“This LGF investment will offer greater protection for existing homes and businesses and will unlock sites for residential and commercial developments.”
The total cost of the project is estimated at £15.5million, with contributions also coming from Kent County Council (£2.5m), Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (£0.5m), Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Communities (£0.085m) and the Environment Agency Flood Defence Grant (£10.141m).
