Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme

Share Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme on Facebook Share Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme on Twitter Share Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme on Linkedin Email Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme link

Update on Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme

The current stage of the Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme – to develop a recommended solution to reduce flood risk and enable regeneration in Looe - has been successfully completed.

We would like to thank everyone who has been involved with the project for their contribution to this work.

Whilst completion of this phase marks a significant milestone for the project, work on delivering the scheme is dependent on securing external funding.

Changes in the national political and financial landscape, leading to reviews of a number of current national major infrastructure projects and significant uncertainty over the level of funding available for future projects, means that it is not currently possible to identify the sources of funding needed to take the recommended Tidal Barrier and Breakwaters option forward at this time.

While this is disappointing, the detailed work which has taken place to bring the scheme to this stage means that the project is in a strong position to move forward if the national picture changes and the funding needed to deliver the scheme becomes available.

In the meantime, the Environment Agency will be assessing the flood protection elements of the scheme this year with the aim of including some of the measures in the EA's next programme.

You can contact us via email at LooeFloodDefence@wsp.com

You can watch a short film explaining about the aims of the Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme and the seven options below:

Check out this latest animation showing how flooding will affect Looe in 2070.

Stop press……

The Environment Agency have introduced a new way to make it quicker and easier for people to talk to them about flood risk – if you have a smart phone you can now use a QR code or send a text message to contact them.


About the Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme

The unique geographic features of Looe already make the town vulnerable to flood events. Sea levels are projected to rise more rapidly due to climate change, increasing the extent, depth, and frequency of flood events.

Urgent action needs to be taken to reduce the extremely high risk of further coastal flooding and erosion in Looe.

The main aims of the proposed Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme are to:

  • Protect Looe from frequent and severe flooding and damage over the next 50 – 100 years, giving the community time to adapt to a changing climate
  • Enhance the environmental integrity of the designated sites and water bodies
  • Work to promote economic growth in East Cornwall by
    • Protecting key transport links
    • Protecting and enhancing the visitor and marine economy

By delivering a scheme which reduces the risk of flooding, attracts widespread support, secures all the necessary approvals and permissions, and is capable of being funded, we can protect homes, businesses and key transport links in and around the town, at the same time as enhancing the marine and visitor economy.

This is a major project which will have a significant impact on the town.

A number of different options have considered as potential solutions during the past 20 years. Following detailed consideration, only one – the tidal barrier scheme – was considered viable.

In July 2015 Looe Harbour Commissioners funded work to develop proposals for a new food defence scheme. The outcome was supported by 95% of local residents and landowners.

in 2020 Cornwall Council’s Cabinet agreed to support the development of the Looe Flood Defence project, allocating £2.3m from the South-East Cornwall Regeneration Programme.

In 2021 the project was awarded a £2.3 million Defra Flood Defence Grant in Aid grant. This is being used to complete work on preparing the outline business case– the next key stage in securing the Government, and other sources of funding, needed to deliver the scheme.

The scheme is being led by Cornwall Council and the Environment Agency. The partners are also liaising with a number of local organisations, including Looe Harbour Commissioners, Looe Town Council, Looe Development Trust, West Looe Town Trust, East Looe Town Trust, the RNLI and local MP Sheryll Murray to turn the proposals into an economically viable and environmentally friendly solution to the town’s tidal flooding challenges.

There was overwhelming public support for the proposals put forward by the Harbour Commissioners in 2015 and we want to work with the local community to shape the final scheme.

You can view a short film about the scheme below:


Current Timeline

  • Completion of Outline Business Case Spring 2024
  • Funding decision 2024
  • Detailed design 2025
  • Harbour Revision Order Application 2025 - 2026
  • Planning Approval 2026
  • Construction 2026 / 2029


You can give us your views on the proposals on our discussion forum. You can also email us at LooeFloodDefence@wsp.com


Update on Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme

The current stage of the Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme – to develop a recommended solution to reduce flood risk and enable regeneration in Looe - has been successfully completed.

We would like to thank everyone who has been involved with the project for their contribution to this work.

Whilst completion of this phase marks a significant milestone for the project, work on delivering the scheme is dependent on securing external funding.

Changes in the national political and financial landscape, leading to reviews of a number of current national major infrastructure projects and significant uncertainty over the level of funding available for future projects, means that it is not currently possible to identify the sources of funding needed to take the recommended Tidal Barrier and Breakwaters option forward at this time.

While this is disappointing, the detailed work which has taken place to bring the scheme to this stage means that the project is in a strong position to move forward if the national picture changes and the funding needed to deliver the scheme becomes available.

In the meantime, the Environment Agency will be assessing the flood protection elements of the scheme this year with the aim of including some of the measures in the EA's next programme.

You can contact us via email at LooeFloodDefence@wsp.com

You can watch a short film explaining about the aims of the Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme and the seven options below:

Check out this latest animation showing how flooding will affect Looe in 2070.

Stop press……

The Environment Agency have introduced a new way to make it quicker and easier for people to talk to them about flood risk – if you have a smart phone you can now use a QR code or send a text message to contact them.


About the Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme

The unique geographic features of Looe already make the town vulnerable to flood events. Sea levels are projected to rise more rapidly due to climate change, increasing the extent, depth, and frequency of flood events.

Urgent action needs to be taken to reduce the extremely high risk of further coastal flooding and erosion in Looe.

The main aims of the proposed Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme are to:

  • Protect Looe from frequent and severe flooding and damage over the next 50 – 100 years, giving the community time to adapt to a changing climate
  • Enhance the environmental integrity of the designated sites and water bodies
  • Work to promote economic growth in East Cornwall by
    • Protecting key transport links
    • Protecting and enhancing the visitor and marine economy

By delivering a scheme which reduces the risk of flooding, attracts widespread support, secures all the necessary approvals and permissions, and is capable of being funded, we can protect homes, businesses and key transport links in and around the town, at the same time as enhancing the marine and visitor economy.

This is a major project which will have a significant impact on the town.

A number of different options have considered as potential solutions during the past 20 years. Following detailed consideration, only one – the tidal barrier scheme – was considered viable.

In July 2015 Looe Harbour Commissioners funded work to develop proposals for a new food defence scheme. The outcome was supported by 95% of local residents and landowners.

in 2020 Cornwall Council’s Cabinet agreed to support the development of the Looe Flood Defence project, allocating £2.3m from the South-East Cornwall Regeneration Programme.

In 2021 the project was awarded a £2.3 million Defra Flood Defence Grant in Aid grant. This is being used to complete work on preparing the outline business case– the next key stage in securing the Government, and other sources of funding, needed to deliver the scheme.

The scheme is being led by Cornwall Council and the Environment Agency. The partners are also liaising with a number of local organisations, including Looe Harbour Commissioners, Looe Town Council, Looe Development Trust, West Looe Town Trust, East Looe Town Trust, the RNLI and local MP Sheryll Murray to turn the proposals into an economically viable and environmentally friendly solution to the town’s tidal flooding challenges.

There was overwhelming public support for the proposals put forward by the Harbour Commissioners in 2015 and we want to work with the local community to shape the final scheme.

You can view a short film about the scheme below:


Current Timeline

  • Completion of Outline Business Case Spring 2024
  • Funding decision 2024
  • Detailed design 2025
  • Harbour Revision Order Application 2025 - 2026
  • Planning Approval 2026
  • Construction 2026 / 2029


You can give us your views on the proposals on our discussion forum. You can also email us at LooeFloodDefence@wsp.com


Questions about the scheme

Let us know if you have any questions about the Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration scheme. We'll try and answer them as soon as we can. You can also e-mail us at LooeFloodDefence@cornwall.gov.uk 

You need to be signed in to add your question.

  • Share I have emailed you about this and submitted a question 2 years ago but you never reply. We have serious concerns that you need to address so I would be grateful if someone would respond and not keep ignorning what are valid, important issues. This is the email I sent - With yet more landslides in Looe over the past weeks, I have serious concerns about the proposed works for the flood barrier, especially the pile driving, which could cause landslides and damage the foundations and structure of nearby properties. We (us and the other residents in our area) want some guarantees that our properties and nearby infrastructure will be safe. I have raised these concerns at the consultation meetings, as have other residents on our road, and also on my feedback forms, but have never had a proper reply or guarantee that our homes will not be damaged or that the works won't cause further landslides. Pile driving can cause major damage to surrounding structures and land and we need this issue to be addressed properly. There is lots of information on the internet about the damage pile driving can cause, but in summary.... " Pile driving causes vibrations and soil movements. Soil deformations due to pile driving, and the excess pore pressures generated due to undrained deformation, can influence the performance of nearby foundations and may cause damage to adjacent structures." For those of us living in the area, it is a major concern, but when people have raised these issues, they have been brushed over and ignored - but the recent landslide has highlighted just how susceptible Looe is and many of us feel that the works could cause huge problems to the local area, properties, roads and infrastructure. In view of the previous loss of life caused by a landslip in Looe and the other instances of landslides in the local area, I would be grateful if you, or someone involved in the project, could address these concerns and not keep ignoring residents with valid concerns. on Facebook Share I have emailed you about this and submitted a question 2 years ago but you never reply. We have serious concerns that you need to address so I would be grateful if someone would respond and not keep ignorning what are valid, important issues. This is the email I sent - With yet more landslides in Looe over the past weeks, I have serious concerns about the proposed works for the flood barrier, especially the pile driving, which could cause landslides and damage the foundations and structure of nearby properties. We (us and the other residents in our area) want some guarantees that our properties and nearby infrastructure will be safe. I have raised these concerns at the consultation meetings, as have other residents on our road, and also on my feedback forms, but have never had a proper reply or guarantee that our homes will not be damaged or that the works won't cause further landslides. Pile driving can cause major damage to surrounding structures and land and we need this issue to be addressed properly. There is lots of information on the internet about the damage pile driving can cause, but in summary.... " Pile driving causes vibrations and soil movements. Soil deformations due to pile driving, and the excess pore pressures generated due to undrained deformation, can influence the performance of nearby foundations and may cause damage to adjacent structures." For those of us living in the area, it is a major concern, but when people have raised these issues, they have been brushed over and ignored - but the recent landslide has highlighted just how susceptible Looe is and many of us feel that the works could cause huge problems to the local area, properties, roads and infrastructure. In view of the previous loss of life caused by a landslip in Looe and the other instances of landslides in the local area, I would be grateful if you, or someone involved in the project, could address these concerns and not keep ignoring residents with valid concerns. on Twitter Share I have emailed you about this and submitted a question 2 years ago but you never reply. We have serious concerns that you need to address so I would be grateful if someone would respond and not keep ignorning what are valid, important issues. This is the email I sent - With yet more landslides in Looe over the past weeks, I have serious concerns about the proposed works for the flood barrier, especially the pile driving, which could cause landslides and damage the foundations and structure of nearby properties. We (us and the other residents in our area) want some guarantees that our properties and nearby infrastructure will be safe. I have raised these concerns at the consultation meetings, as have other residents on our road, and also on my feedback forms, but have never had a proper reply or guarantee that our homes will not be damaged or that the works won't cause further landslides. Pile driving can cause major damage to surrounding structures and land and we need this issue to be addressed properly. There is lots of information on the internet about the damage pile driving can cause, but in summary.... " Pile driving causes vibrations and soil movements. Soil deformations due to pile driving, and the excess pore pressures generated due to undrained deformation, can influence the performance of nearby foundations and may cause damage to adjacent structures." For those of us living in the area, it is a major concern, but when people have raised these issues, they have been brushed over and ignored - but the recent landslide has highlighted just how susceptible Looe is and many of us feel that the works could cause huge problems to the local area, properties, roads and infrastructure. In view of the previous loss of life caused by a landslip in Looe and the other instances of landslides in the local area, I would be grateful if you, or someone involved in the project, could address these concerns and not keep ignoring residents with valid concerns. on Linkedin Email I have emailed you about this and submitted a question 2 years ago but you never reply. We have serious concerns that you need to address so I would be grateful if someone would respond and not keep ignorning what are valid, important issues. This is the email I sent - With yet more landslides in Looe over the past weeks, I have serious concerns about the proposed works for the flood barrier, especially the pile driving, which could cause landslides and damage the foundations and structure of nearby properties. We (us and the other residents in our area) want some guarantees that our properties and nearby infrastructure will be safe. I have raised these concerns at the consultation meetings, as have other residents on our road, and also on my feedback forms, but have never had a proper reply or guarantee that our homes will not be damaged or that the works won't cause further landslides. Pile driving can cause major damage to surrounding structures and land and we need this issue to be addressed properly. There is lots of information on the internet about the damage pile driving can cause, but in summary.... " Pile driving causes vibrations and soil movements. Soil deformations due to pile driving, and the excess pore pressures generated due to undrained deformation, can influence the performance of nearby foundations and may cause damage to adjacent structures." For those of us living in the area, it is a major concern, but when people have raised these issues, they have been brushed over and ignored - but the recent landslide has highlighted just how susceptible Looe is and many of us feel that the works could cause huge problems to the local area, properties, roads and infrastructure. In view of the previous loss of life caused by a landslip in Looe and the other instances of landslides in the local area, I would be grateful if you, or someone involved in the project, could address these concerns and not keep ignoring residents with valid concerns. link

    I have emailed you about this and submitted a question 2 years ago but you never reply. We have serious concerns that you need to address so I would be grateful if someone would respond and not keep ignorning what are valid, important issues. This is the email I sent - With yet more landslides in Looe over the past weeks, I have serious concerns about the proposed works for the flood barrier, especially the pile driving, which could cause landslides and damage the foundations and structure of nearby properties. We (us and the other residents in our area) want some guarantees that our properties and nearby infrastructure will be safe. I have raised these concerns at the consultation meetings, as have other residents on our road, and also on my feedback forms, but have never had a proper reply or guarantee that our homes will not be damaged or that the works won't cause further landslides. Pile driving can cause major damage to surrounding structures and land and we need this issue to be addressed properly. There is lots of information on the internet about the damage pile driving can cause, but in summary.... " Pile driving causes vibrations and soil movements. Soil deformations due to pile driving, and the excess pore pressures generated due to undrained deformation, can influence the performance of nearby foundations and may cause damage to adjacent structures." For those of us living in the area, it is a major concern, but when people have raised these issues, they have been brushed over and ignored - but the recent landslide has highlighted just how susceptible Looe is and many of us feel that the works could cause huge problems to the local area, properties, roads and infrastructure. In view of the previous loss of life caused by a landslip in Looe and the other instances of landslides in the local area, I would be grateful if you, or someone involved in the project, could address these concerns and not keep ignoring residents with valid concerns.

    SG asked 10 months ago

    Concerns have been raised about the piling required for the project on the west side of the river. 

     Various techniques have been explored by the project team which includes experienced marine contractors. 

     On the west side rock socketing is proposed where the bedrock is shallow. It is a technique chosen to minimise noise and vibration. As the name suggests, a socket will be augered out of the rock into which the piles will be inserted and grouted into place. Augering avoids the need to hammer piles through the rock as the team recognises the nature of the adjacent masonry bridges, retaining walls and properties which are sensitive to vibration. It also avoids any build up of pore water pressure. There may be the need to undertake some final hammering to ensure a "snug" fit for the pile within the hole but this will be achieved with minimum energy as the augering will have completed most of the "hard work". Minimum energy means minimum vibration and noise. Monitoring equipment will be installed on structures as agreed with Cornwall Council to measure the level of vibration and noise and ensure that the work remains within agreed limits."


  • Share Can you please share the exact co-ordinates of the 'outer harbour' walls ie. the breakwater and extended Banjo Pier? The reason I'm asking is because the Looe Sea Swimmers swim to several buoys off East Looe Beach. East Looe Beach is a safe beach because the Banjo protects water users from the dangerous river and harbour mouth currents. If the 'outer harbour' is built the redirected river and harbour mouth currents may make it less safe for swimmers and other water users to use the beach. It's very difficult to judge the reach of the 'outer harbour' walls from the diagrams and videos. Can you please confirm the 'outer harbour' walls exact positions. Thank you. on Facebook Share Can you please share the exact co-ordinates of the 'outer harbour' walls ie. the breakwater and extended Banjo Pier? The reason I'm asking is because the Looe Sea Swimmers swim to several buoys off East Looe Beach. East Looe Beach is a safe beach because the Banjo protects water users from the dangerous river and harbour mouth currents. If the 'outer harbour' is built the redirected river and harbour mouth currents may make it less safe for swimmers and other water users to use the beach. It's very difficult to judge the reach of the 'outer harbour' walls from the diagrams and videos. Can you please confirm the 'outer harbour' walls exact positions. Thank you. on Twitter Share Can you please share the exact co-ordinates of the 'outer harbour' walls ie. the breakwater and extended Banjo Pier? The reason I'm asking is because the Looe Sea Swimmers swim to several buoys off East Looe Beach. East Looe Beach is a safe beach because the Banjo protects water users from the dangerous river and harbour mouth currents. If the 'outer harbour' is built the redirected river and harbour mouth currents may make it less safe for swimmers and other water users to use the beach. It's very difficult to judge the reach of the 'outer harbour' walls from the diagrams and videos. Can you please confirm the 'outer harbour' walls exact positions. Thank you. on Linkedin Email Can you please share the exact co-ordinates of the 'outer harbour' walls ie. the breakwater and extended Banjo Pier? The reason I'm asking is because the Looe Sea Swimmers swim to several buoys off East Looe Beach. East Looe Beach is a safe beach because the Banjo protects water users from the dangerous river and harbour mouth currents. If the 'outer harbour' is built the redirected river and harbour mouth currents may make it less safe for swimmers and other water users to use the beach. It's very difficult to judge the reach of the 'outer harbour' walls from the diagrams and videos. Can you please confirm the 'outer harbour' walls exact positions. Thank you. link

    Can you please share the exact co-ordinates of the 'outer harbour' walls ie. the breakwater and extended Banjo Pier? The reason I'm asking is because the Looe Sea Swimmers swim to several buoys off East Looe Beach. East Looe Beach is a safe beach because the Banjo protects water users from the dangerous river and harbour mouth currents. If the 'outer harbour' is built the redirected river and harbour mouth currents may make it less safe for swimmers and other water users to use the beach. It's very difficult to judge the reach of the 'outer harbour' walls from the diagrams and videos. Can you please confirm the 'outer harbour' walls exact positions. Thank you.

    FionaA asked over 2 years ago
    Thank you for your email regarding sea swimming at Looe.
     
    It is proposed that the Banjo Pier is extended a further 170m - 225m out to sea from the end of the existing structure, and this extension along with the Southern Breakwater will form a refuge area.
     
    In terms of impacts on sea swimming, the new structures will:
     - shelter the beach more from south/south west waves
     -  direct river and harbour currents further offshore away from beach users
     -  direct pollutants (such a CSO spills) further offshore away from beach users
     -  direct boats further offshore away from beach users
     
    As part of the design, we will be undertaking a navigation risk assessment, is there an organisation who represents sea swimmers we could engage with if our design team would like to dicuss the sea swimming at Looe in more detail?
Page last updated: 07 Feb 2025, 07:22 AM