Following the project’s legal confirmation, engineers can proceed to tender for the scheme which aims to reduce flood risk to 372 residential properties, two public utility sites, a school and an emergency service site.

Overall, the development comprises of a series of individual projects;

It is designed to provide a 0.5% chance of occurrence (1 in 200-year flood event) standard of protection, including an allowance for climate change (33% increase to 2080) and a safety margin catering for uncertainties.

Following a consultation 12 objections had been received to the scheme – four were resolved through negotiation but the others remained outstanding. Following publication of a formal notice, outstanding objectors had six weeks to apply for a judicial review of the scheme’s confirmation, but none took this opportunity.

With the scheme becoming operative on September 4, the council now has the power to enter properties and to build on land it does not own to complete the development.

Pre-construction preparation is expected to take place around the town from October, with the tender for construction to be issued at the end of the year. Main works are then scheduled to start around August 2018, with the project taking around two years to compete.