FAQs

Looe is already the most frequently flooded coastal town in the UK, causing £39m of damage to homes and businesses during the period 2012 - 2017. 

 Over the next 100 years, sea levels are predicted to rise by more than 1 metre as a result of climate change, threatening even more parts of the town. These include the health centre, the police and fire stations, main food stores and cafes and the fish market, as well as major transport links such as the A387 and the railway station. 

 Increased flooding will be catastrophic for the town and the wider local economy

During the past 20 years a number of different options have been put forward as potential solutions. Unfortunately, following detailed consideration, none were found to be viable. 

 In July 2015 Looe Harbour Commissioners funded work to design a new food defence scheme. The draft design was supported by 95% of local residents during a community consultation exercise. 

 In March 2019 Cornwall Council’s Cabinet agreed to support the development of the Looe Flood Defence project. Members allocated £2.3m from the South-East Cornwall Regeneration Programme to develop an economically viable and environmentally friendly solution to the flooding challenges. 

 Work is now taking place to develop a detailed design and a bid for funding to the Government. 

The current estimated costs for delivering this project are between £60m and £75m. 

 Some funding has already been committed by a number of local organisations, including Cornwall Council, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, Looe Harbour Commissioners, the Environment Agency and Looe Town Council.

 There is a significant shortfall which will need to be met by other means. An outline business case for funding this proposal will need to be prepared for presentation to the Government. 

The importance of the harbour to the economy of the town is recognised in the emerging Looe Neighbourhood Development Plan. 

 One of the key objectives of the draft Neighbourhood Development Plan is to set robust planning policies to ensure that any future flood defence scheme balances a set of key objectives – reducing the frequency of flooding, protecting existing industries such as fishing and tourism, creating new economic opportunities and respecting the marine and coastal environment.   These policies will set the context for the flood defence 

It has become increasingly clear that this vital scheme needs to be delivered as soon as possible to protect homes and businesses in Looe from flooding and reduce the impact on the wider economy of south east Cornwall.  

 Following a detailed review of the current timetable for the scheme using the traditional process, the partners are proposing to adopt an accelerated programme which would bring the delivery of the scheme forward by two years. 

 This would mean that work could begin on developing detailed designs at the same time as seeking the necessary permissions for the scheme (including the harbour revision order, planning permission and marine licences). If approved and funding is secured, construction could begin in 2024, with the scheme completed by 2026 – two years ahead of the original schedule.  

Looe is a very resilient community and regularly accepts the results of flooding much of which goes unrecorded. However, sea levels are rising and the predictions are that a 1:1000yr storm in Looe will become a 1:1yr storm by 2080.

 The existing quay wall is around 2.7m above ordnance datum (AOD) but sea water enters through the walls, ground and drainage system and comes up in the town at around 2.6m AOD. Based on 33yrs of recorded data (BODC, Devonport Tide Gauge) water levels are expected to exceed 2.6mAOD 12 times in a year by 2025. This will rise to 182 times by 2075 with levels reaching +3.2mAOD 10 times in the same year. 

 This frequency and severity of flooding will be unacceptable and hence work is required now to put a flood defence in place before the problem becomes too great for businesses and homes to remain viable in the town.

Sediment from the river will still be discharged to the sea even when the tidal barrier is in place. As the barrier will be open in all but flooding events.  Any sediment held up due to a gate closure will flush again naturally when the gate opens in the following tide

 There are likely to be some local changes to the flow regime and wave climate due to the proposed breakwaters.  Sediment samples have been taken in the vicinity of the works together with some numerical flow modelling.  The results of these initial tests show a modest impact on sediment movement. 

 Further work is now being carried out to assess the potential impacts of the scheme in more detail. This includes: 

• Estimating how much sediment enters the system from the East and West Looe Rivers
• Determining what local scour/accretion effects could occur around the new structures -  and then if this would impact (positive or negative) on the seagrass habitat
• Determining if the increased wave reflection of the new breakwaters will affect the sediment mobility/seagrass habitat.

 We are currently testing several layouts/designs with the aim of achieving a balanced scheme with positive impacts.  Work is also set to begin on the formal Environmental Impact Assessment.

Looe is rightly renowned for its diverse marine environment. 

As Looe sits within a Marine Conservation Zone, any proposed development in the harbour area will require an Environmental Impact Assessment, as well as potentially a Harbour Revision Order and a Marine Licence. 

 We are working to improve our understanding of the scale and extent of the seagrass and habitat. As part of this work we are planning to commission a survey to help with the development of the scheme as well as supporting a wider understanding of the Conservation Area.

Further work is now being carried out to assess the potential impacts of the scheme in more detail. This includes: 

• Estimating how much sediment enters the system from the East and West Looe Rivers
• Determining what local scour/accretion effects could occur around the new structures -  and then if this would impact (positive or negative) on the seagrass habitat
• Determining if the increased wave reflection of the new breakwaters will affect the sediment mobility/seagrass habitat.

 We are currently testing several layouts/designs with the aim of achieving a balanced scheme with positive impacts.  Work is also set to begin on the formal Environmental Impact Assessment.

 A cut-off wall is currently included in our flood defence scheme to prevent tidal surge water from passing under the existing coastal defence wall at the back of East Looe beach when the barrier is closed. 

 Much of the ground under Looe is known to be permeable and, even when water levels are below the height of the quay walls, water can still find its way into the town centre by both the drainage system and by permeating through the ground.

  The barrier will only be closed when high tides are predicted to coincide with storm surges to the point where flooding of the town is possible. This will be a short-lived and infrequent event when the scheme first opens. However, as time progresses and sea levels continue to rise, then this will be a more frequent but still short-lived event. Hence, under normal circumstances, water will still be able to pass down the Looe River and discharge into the sea with ground water levels under the town unaffected.

We have engaged the leading gate designer in the UK to work with us on developing the scheme and work is underway to review the optimal gate arrangements.  Fresh visuals are currently being prepared to aid public understanding on the potential arrangements.  We are exploring one or two main navigable gates at the moment.

We are currently in discussions with the harbour users to determine the correct sill height, however current access should be relatively unaffected. The intention is that the extension to Banjo Pier will enhance access to water as it will enable access for most, if not all, of the normal tidal states. Access into the harbour will be restricted during construction, hence we will need to provide moorings outside of the proposed barrier for larger vessels whilst the gate structure is built.  These are unlikely to be anchorages, as that would have an impact on the seabed - rather they will be fixed pile, wall or fore and aft moorings

We are very aware of the importance of tourism to Looe and the scheme is being designed to protect and enhance this industry in the long-term. By addressing the tidal flooding of the town, the scheme will give confidence for tourism businesses to boost investment that will provide new and enhanced facilities and services in the town which will in turn create jobs.

 We are aware that that the beach regularly accumulates sand which then is reduced and levelled in a similar manner to that which happened following Storm Darcy in February 2021. In addition, seaweed/kelp is regularly removed by stripping it off the beach and ensuring that it is taken out to sea by the ebb tide. 

 We have made an initial assessment of the impact of the breakwater on the beach.  At the moment we expect the beach to grow in size slightly over the long term.  The testing carried out so far suggests that there will not be any silting up of the beach and, in fact, there may be water quality benefits due to increasing the length of Banjo pier.

 While it will not be possible to hide all elements of the  scheme (such as the tidal gates)  work is taking place to use the design and landscaping to enhance the character of the town, making the scheme a feature in its own right. The design will be done sensitively and in consultation with local stakeholders, statutory consultees including Heritage England and Cornwall Council’s planning department to determine the right choice of materials.

 Experience from previous projects has shown that construction activities tend to become an attraction in their own right and we will plan for a good set of viewing areas, local engagement and information as part of the Looe scheme.  

Once construction work begins, we expect the scheme to be completed within two years. 

 We are aware of the potential of disruption during the construction and all the partners are working together to reduce the impact on the town - from building in the off-season to bringing in material from the sea. 

 Experience from previous projects has shown that construction activities tend to become an attraction in their own right and we will plan for a good set of viewing areas, local engagement and information as part of the Looe scheme. 

 Major coastal defence schemes such as this also provide employment opportunities, not just in construction, but also in catering and support services. Discussions with harbour users have been positive to date and we are planning to hold further sessions to determine the effect of construction on their businesses and what plans can be put into place to minimise any adverse short-term impact.

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No decisions have been reached regarding access along the Banjo Pier extension. However, the intention is for the Banjo Pier extension to enhance access to water as it will enable access for boats for most, if not all, of the normal tidal states

We have surveyed the seabed up to the end of Banjo Pier and are currently carrying out an extensive wave modelling exercise which is looking at all significant wind directions, including southerly and south-easterly directions. 

The predictions are that wave activity will be significantly reduced in the area protected the breakwaters and that this will ease navigation. The breakwaters will provide a safe haven when the barrier is shut and to protect the gates from storm wave activity.

Yes – members of the public will be able to use the new walkway.

A key requirement of the proposed scheme is that it will enhance the environment. An Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) will be required and the design team is currently collating all the necessary data and supplementing it where necessary via surveys.

Unfortunately raising the quay walls and preventing water from backing up through the drains will not solve the issue of flooding from rising levels. The quay wall and the ground behind is permeable and flood water will therefore find a way around this option. The walls themselves would also be visually intrusive and would hinder access to the quayside. Hence, we need to find a solution that avoids water building up in front of the quays.

 If tidal gates are the answer, then they need to be protected from the ever-increasing size of waves that will find their way into Looe due to the increased water depth from climate change and consequential sea level rise. A breakwater is a means of achieving this. In addition, boats still need to have a place to shelter outside when the gates are shut. The combination of an extension to Banjo Pier and a southern breakwater will provide this refuge area which will also be useful during the construction of the barrier.

 The attraction of Looe to many tourists is one of a large historic fishing harbour. It is part of the Looe’s brand. Hence, we need to provide infrastructure that enhances rather than hinders access to fishing. The elements of any flood defence scheme should not only function as a flood defence but also seek to promote regeneration by doubling-up to improve access to deeper water for fishing and recreation post-construction. There are no plans to build a marina.

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

 In 2015, there was significant public support for a tidal barrier similar to what is being proposed now. We want to build on this support and encourage local residents and businesses to help shape the scheme so we can ensure that it meets the needs of all parts of the wider community. 

 We are providing information and updates at key milestones throughout the project. The November 2021 consultation was to provide people with an update on the work undertaken to date, outline flood defence proposals and to inform about the next steps. This was intended to rekindle public debate and enable local people to give us their views on the proposals. There will be a further consultation in Spring 2022 and an exhibition in Summer 2022 both of which will show people’s comments and what has been done to address those comments.

 You can also give us your views via email at LooeFloodDefence@cornwall.gov.uk