Plans are being drawn up to help prevent Looe from flooding in the future.

Six options will be considered for the Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme.

They include demountable barriers that would have estimated £88m construction costs and £39m future operation and maintenance cost.

Permanent flood walls which would have estimated £93m construction costs and £17m future operation and maintenance cost.

A quayside extension that would have an estimated £95m construction cost and £22m future operation and maintenance cost.

Tidal barrier only which would have an estimated £80m construction cost and £33m future operation and maintenance cost.

Tidal barrier with breakwaters which would have an estimated £126m construction cost and £33m future operation and maintenance cost.

Adapting the town and community, the cost of which is to be determined.

A preferred option will be decided in the forthcoming outline business case to protect Looe from frequent and severe flooding and damage over the next 50 to 100 years and give the community time to adapt to a changing climate.

A number of other options have been considered as potential solutions over the past 20 years but have been ruled out as not providing a suitable level of protection. 

These are dredging, flooding at Looe from the sea results from tides and low pressure causing higher than usual sea levels. It was determined dredging would not reduce sea levels or the risk of tidal flooding 

Breakwaters only was also ruled out as though constructing breakwaters would reduce wave action, they would not reduce high sea level and the increasing risk of tidal flooding due to sea level rise

Tidal barrier with small breakwater, which involved raising Banjo Pier and adding a small breakwater would reduce wave action at the tidal barrier, enabling a lower tidal barrier to be built.  

But this option has also been ruled out on the grounds of navigational safety as vessels would have to turn side on waves close to the beach.

A spokesman for Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme said: “Before confirming a preferred option, we need to assess all potential options including those previously dismissed against a range of technical, economic and environmental criteria.  

“These include the costs of building and operating the scheme and the effectiveness in protecting the town from the risks of tidal, river, groundwater and surface water flooding.

“The potential challenges in constructing and operating the flood defences, impact on the marine environment, landscape and seascape and carbon emissions and navigation issues, impact on heritage and amenities as well as economic benefits.”

For the full story see next Wednesday's Liskeard Voice