A NEW scheme to protect the coastal village of Pentewan from flooding has been completed.

The centre of the village has previously been badly affected by flooding caused by a combination of high tides and storm waves passing up the historic channel into the old harbour.

A flood bund has been created to offer increased protection for the next 30 years and is designed to allow the community to adapt to the effects of climate change.

The man-made sand dune structure, which has an impermeable granite core, has been positioned in the old navigation channel.

Those behind the £395,000 scheme say the bund will prevent tidal overtopping into the harbour and protect against a one-in-30-year flood event.

The defences were given their first real test during Storm Pierrick last month. The storm caused significant wave action in the area but no flooding occurring in the village.

The project, designed and delivered by Cormac, has been a collaboration between Cornwall Council, the Environment Agency, Pentewan Sands Ltd and the community.

Funding has been provided by the government, the community and contributions in kind from Pentewan Sands Ltd.

An event has been held to mark the completion of the project.

Cllr Mike Ward, chairman of Pentewan Valley Parish Council, said: “The storms of 2013/14 caused significant damage to the seawall at Pentewan. Degradation has since then continued to the point where it was clear the structure would fail resulting in the loss of protection to the harbour.

“In 2018, having secured the support of Pentewan Sands Ltd, the parish council asked Steve Double MP for support. Steve with the assistance of Cllr James Mustoe has chaired meetings, unlocked funding and overcome many obstacles during the complex planning process. I am pleased that we now have a completed defence protecting many properties in Pentewan from the sea.”

Mr Double said: “We have all seen times in the past where Pentewan has been overwhelmed by flooding and I hope this bund will provide more protection for the people who live, work and have businesses in the village for many years to come.

“I am pleased to have worked with Cornwall Council, the Environment Agency, Pentewan Valley Parish Council and the wider community to help deliver this important flood defence scheme.”

Cllr Mustoe said: “The delivery of these £395,000 flood defences for Pentewan was a true team effort and I’d like to thank everyone involved for working together to make these plans a reality.

“In particular, a big thank you to the landowner, Pentewan Sands Ltd, for assisting with the materials and their patience throughout, and Steve Double MP, who was able to work with Defra to ensure these local issues got national attention.”