Looe proposed flood defence and regeneration scheme

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This page is no longer updated - for the latest information please visit the Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme page. 

LATEST NEWS: 

£2.3m grant for Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme

Plans to deliver a vital flood defence and regeneration scheme for Looe have taken a major step forward - thanks to a £2.3 million grant.

The Defra Flood Defence Grant in Aid grant will enable Cornwall Council and its key partners 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.

Please visit the News Feed section below for more information about the funding.

Building on the engagement events held last November, the project team will be holding a series of design workshops during the last week of April to provide an update on the scheme and further explore what stakeholders, the community and businesses see as the key priorities for the breakwater layout of the flood defence design. These sessions are being held at the Quayside Centre in Looe on:

  • Friday 29th April- 10:00-12:00 and 15.00-19.00
  • Saturday 30th April- 10.00-15.00
  • Online Zoom event on Tuesday, 3 May 18.00 

 You can view a short film about the scheme here: 

Looe is already the most frequently flooded coastal town in the UK, causing £39m of damage to homes and businesses during the period 2013-2017 (Source: Business Survey by Cornwall Development Company).

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. 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 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 overall environmental integrity of the designated sites and water bodies.
  • Work to promote economic growth in East Cornwall by:
  • Protecting key transport links (rail, road, ferry and cycle hub)
  • Protecting and enhancing the visitor and marine economy

The proposed Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme includes:

  1. A tidal barrier which will close when flooding is likely
  2. A southern breakwater to prevent overtopping of the flood gates during tidal surges, provide a shelter for vessels when the flood gates are closed and protect Hannafore Road.
  3. An extension to the Banjo pier, creating a low water landing stage providing boat access at all states of the tide.
  4. A cut-off wall below East Looe beach to prevent tidal flooding bypassing the tidal barrier
  5. A separate low-level walkway from Pennyland in the town to Hannafore

Current plans for the positions and lengths of piers are likely to evolve in response to wave modelling and ecology, and commercial issues.


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. 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 develop the final scheme.

A big thank you to everyone who attended the Information events about the Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration scheme which were held last year. The presentation from the events can be accessed here :

The two animations that were presented during the presentation can be viewed in the video section.

We have also installed a new tide gauge at the harbour to measure the water level in the harbour 24 hours a day, every day. This is providing vital information on the risk of flooding and how often Looe floods, as well as helping to improve predictions of storm surges. You can view a short film about the tide gauge here 


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.

Since then Cornwall Council members and officers have been working with Looe Harbour Commissioners, Looe Town Council, Looe Development Trust, West Looe Town Trust, East Looe Town Trust, the Environment Agency, 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.

Partners have agreed to adopt an accelerated programme for the scheme which could bring its delivery forward by two years. This means 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).

We have been working with a Contractor to look at the construction programme. Due to the slight pause created by the latest engagement noted above and if planning is approved and funding is secured, then construction could begin in 2025 with the scheme completed between 2027-2028 – still ahead of the original schedule.

You can give us your views on the proposals on our discussion forum. You can also email us at LooeFloodDefence@cornwall.gov.uk .


LATEST NEWS: 

£2.3m grant for Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme

Plans to deliver a vital flood defence and regeneration scheme for Looe have taken a major step forward - thanks to a £2.3 million grant.

The Defra Flood Defence Grant in Aid grant will enable Cornwall Council and its key partners 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.

Please visit the News Feed section below for more information about the funding.

Building on the engagement events held last November, the project team will be holding a series of design workshops during the last week of April to provide an update on the scheme and further explore what stakeholders, the community and businesses see as the key priorities for the breakwater layout of the flood defence design. These sessions are being held at the Quayside Centre in Looe on:

  • Friday 29th April- 10:00-12:00 and 15.00-19.00
  • Saturday 30th April- 10.00-15.00
  • Online Zoom event on Tuesday, 3 May 18.00 

 You can view a short film about the scheme here: 

Looe is already the most frequently flooded coastal town in the UK, causing £39m of damage to homes and businesses during the period 2013-2017 (Source: Business Survey by Cornwall Development Company).

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. 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 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 overall environmental integrity of the designated sites and water bodies.
  • Work to promote economic growth in East Cornwall by:
  • Protecting key transport links (rail, road, ferry and cycle hub)
  • Protecting and enhancing the visitor and marine economy

The proposed Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme includes:

  1. A tidal barrier which will close when flooding is likely
  2. A southern breakwater to prevent overtopping of the flood gates during tidal surges, provide a shelter for vessels when the flood gates are closed and protect Hannafore Road.
  3. An extension to the Banjo pier, creating a low water landing stage providing boat access at all states of the tide.
  4. A cut-off wall below East Looe beach to prevent tidal flooding bypassing the tidal barrier
  5. A separate low-level walkway from Pennyland in the town to Hannafore

Current plans for the positions and lengths of piers are likely to evolve in response to wave modelling and ecology, and commercial issues.


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. 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 develop the final scheme.

A big thank you to everyone who attended the Information events about the Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration scheme which were held last year. The presentation from the events can be accessed here :

The two animations that were presented during the presentation can be viewed in the video section.

We have also installed a new tide gauge at the harbour to measure the water level in the harbour 24 hours a day, every day. This is providing vital information on the risk of flooding and how often Looe floods, as well as helping to improve predictions of storm surges. You can view a short film about the tide gauge here 


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.

Since then Cornwall Council members and officers have been working with Looe Harbour Commissioners, Looe Town Council, Looe Development Trust, West Looe Town Trust, East Looe Town Trust, the Environment Agency, 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.

Partners have agreed to adopt an accelerated programme for the scheme which could bring its delivery forward by two years. This means 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).

We have been working with a Contractor to look at the construction programme. Due to the slight pause created by the latest engagement noted above and if planning is approved and funding is secured, then construction could begin in 2025 with the scheme completed between 2027-2028 – still ahead of the original schedule.

You can give us your views on the proposals on our discussion forum. You can also email us at LooeFloodDefence@cornwall.gov.uk .


This page is no longer updated - for the latest information please visit the Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme page. 

  • £2.3m grant for Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    supporting image

    Plans to deliver a vital flood defence and regeneration scheme for Looe have taken a major step forward - thanks to a £2.3 million grant.

    The Defra Flood Defence Grant in Aid grant will enable Cornwall Council and its key partners 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.

    Earlier this year South East Cornwall MP Sheryll Murray raised the issue of flooding in Looe during Prime Minister’s Questions, with the Prime Minister promising to do “everything we can” to prevent more flooding in the town.

    Cornwall Council, Looe Harbour Commission and members of DEFRA’s Flood and Coastal Resilience Partnership have been working with Mrs Murray and the Environment Secretary, Camborne MP, George Eustice, to secure the funding needed for the initial stage of the scheme.

    Welcoming news of the grant, Martyn Alvey, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for Environment and Climate Change, said “Looe is the most frequently flooded place in the country so successfully delivering this long awaited and much needed scheme is vital for the long-term future of the town and the wider economy of South East Cornwall.

    “We need to ensure that the final scheme meets the needs of Looe, both now, and in the future. This means that, as well as providing structural flood defences to protect the town from flooding in the short to medium term, we support the community to develop a plan which identifies measures which go well beyond 100 years. This will give the community time to adapt so it can live with the consequences of increased flood risk in the future.

    “During the summer we submitted the initial stage of the scheme to the Environment Agency for consideration. The funding announced by the EA today will enable us to complete the second stage of the project to submit to the Government next winter. This is a hugely significant step both for the project and the town as, without Government support and funding, it will not be possible to deliver this scheme.

    “We are very grateful to Sheryll Murray and the Secretary of State for their help and support in getting us to this stage, and to the Environment Agency for securing this funding. “

    Ben Johnstone, Flood and Coastal Risk Manager at the Environment Agency, said ‘We are pleased to be able to make this contribution which would not have been possible without the funding provided by Cornwall Council. This means the team can continue the process to develop this project to both reduce the risk of flooding to Looe and adapt to the changing climate’.

    David Bond, Chairman of Looe Harbour Commissioners, added “ Looe Harbour Commissioners are delighted to hear that the funding from the Environment Agency for the next stage of planning for the Looe Defence Scheme, has been secured.”

    MP for South East Cornwall Sheryll Murray said “ I know how long Looe has been waiting for this essential work and this is a major step forward. It is an issue I have raised on many occasions with DEFRA, the Chancellor and with the Prime Minister both publicly and in private meetings.

    “I am delighted that the Environment Agency have now awarded the final £2.3 million to move the Looe Flood prevention project to the next stage. It is very unusual for the Environment Agency to allocate funding in advance of a business case being completed, so I am grateful that this has now happened.

      “I would like to thank the Looe Harbour Commissioners, and the Cornwall Council project team, along with all others involved, who have worked so hard to provide me with the information and support to get the Government to move on this funding. This just shows that when a community works together, across the tiers of governance, we can move forward in a positive way.”
      While partners have been building the strong economic case for the scheme during the past few months, work has also been continuing on developing the designs. 

    As well as identifying the engineering solutions needed to enable the town to manage the risk of flooding over the next 50 - 100 years, the team has recognised the need for a Flood Adaption Plan to help the community to adapt in the longer term. This will include examination of existing planning policies to prevent inappropriate development in areas of flood risk, evolving transport policies, and investigating measures to generate income to support transformation projects.

    ” With climate scientists forecasting that sea levels will continue to rise well past the next 100 years, we need to work together to protect and regenerate this key part of Cornwall “said Martyn Alvey. “Doing nothing is not an option -we need to act quickly, act boldly and act locally.

    “We look forward to continuing to work with our partners, the Government and the local community to complete the designs and secure the final funding for this much needed scheme. “

    Building on the engagement events held last November, the project team will be holding a series of design workshops during the last week of April to provide an update on the scheme and further explore what stakeholders, the community and businesses see as the key priorities for the breakwater layout of the flood defence design. These sessions are being held at the Quayside Centre in Looe on:

    • Friday 29th April- 10:00-12:00 and 15.00-19.00
    • Saturday 30th April- 10.00-15.00

    In addition, there is an online Zoom event on Tuesday 3rd May starting at 18:00.

    Further information about the events and the scheme is available on the Let’s Talk Cornwall site https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/looe-flood-defence

    There are a number of further events and design workshops planned throughout the year to enable residence, business and the community to continue take part in helping shape the developing design. These will take place prior to the applications for planning permission, a harbour revision order and a marine licence being formally submitted.

    Ends

    Notes to editors

    The Zoom link is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84328362624?pwd=QXdWbGFZQmtBcHRzZzFrZ1dzbmZ5UT09

    Looe is a key tourist destination and a thriving fishing port. 65% of businesses in the town are regularly flooded, with £39m of damage in the period 2012 – 2017 (Source: Business Survey – Cornwall Development Company).

    The impact of climate change will increase the area at risk of flooding from 2.5 hectares to 16 hectares. This flood prone area includes the local GP surgery, police station, main food stores and cafes, as well as the fish market and potentially the fire station, together with the more than 200 homes and businesses which are currently affected.

    Tourism is worth around £47.8m to the local economy, directly supporting more than 1,100 jobs in Looe and indirectly supporting a further 400 jobs. An increase in the risk of flooding could deter people from visiting the town and have an adverse impact on holiday parks, communities and businesses right across South East Cornwall.

    The flood prone area also includes key transport links such as the A387 which crosses the Looe River joining West and East Looe together, and the railway station which connects the town to the mainline at Liskeard.

    The aims of the Looe Food Defence and Regeneration project are to:

    · Protect Looe from frequent and severe flooding and damage over the next 50-100 years, giving time for the community to adapt to a changing climate

    · Enhance the overall environmental integrity of designated sites and water bodies.

    · Work to promote economic growth in East Cornwall by:

    · Protecting key transport links (rail, road, ferry and cycle hub)

    · Protecting and enhancing the visitor and marine economy

    The structural elements currently being investigated include :

    · A tidal barrier which will close when flooding is likely

    · A separate low-level walkway from Pennylands to Hannafore

    · A southern breakwater which will prevent overtopping of the tidal barrier and sea front during tidal surges, provide a shelter for vessels when the flood gates are closed and protect Hannafore Road

    · An extension to the Banjo pier, creating a low water landing stage providing boat access at all states of the site

    · A cut-off wall below East Looe promenade to prevent tidal flooding bypassing the tidal barrier.

  • Latest edition of Looe Flood Defence newsletter

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    The latest edition of the Looe Flood Defence Newsletter has just been published .

    You can read it in our documents section.

  • Tide gauge

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    We have installed a new tide gauge to measure the water level in the harbour 24 hours a day, every day.

    This will provide vital information on the risk of flooding and how often Looe floods, as well as helping to improve predictions of storm surges.

    You can view a short film about the tide gauge in our video section,

  • Find out more about the Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme

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    We have produced a short film about the Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration scheme .which explains what we want to achieve with the scheme, details the work which has been carried out during the past few months, and outlines the next steps in the project.

    Please visit the video section to watch the film.

  • Information events

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    A big thank you to everyone who attended the recent Information events about the Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration scheme.

    The presentation from the events can be accessed here :

    The two animations that were presented during the presentation have been uploaded as individual files due to the large size and can be accessed here :

    Extreme tidal flood event in 2020

    Wave simulation for Looe Bay

  • Latest edition of Looe Flood Defence scheme newsletter

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    We have published the third edition of our newsletter - you can read it in the documents section.

  • Read the second edition of our newsletter

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    Take a look in our documents section to read the second edition of our newsletter.