Portreath flood scheme sparks anger as residents warn of damage to village stream
Residents in a Cornish coastal village say they are “deeply concerned” about a proposed £14 million flood resilience scheme, warning it could damage a historic wildlife corridor and fail to fully protect homes from flooding.
The Environment Agency has confirmed that more than 100 homes and businesses in Portreath are at risk of flooding from the Portreath Stream, and says the planned works are designed to reduce that risk and improve long-term resilience.
In a statement, an Environment Agency spokesperson said:
“More than 100 homes and businesses in Portreath are at risk of flooding from the Portreath Stream.
The Portreath Flood Resilience Project will undertake works to ensure that any water that cannot be managed by the Portreath tunnel will be contained within the channel rather than running into homes and down roads, making the community more resilient to flooding.
We are committed to developing a flood resilience scheme that provides resilience to the community whilst supporting local biodiversity and respects the natural and historic character of Portreath.”
However, a growing number of residents, organised under the Portreath Flood Resilience Action Group, say the plans go too far and could permanently alter the character of the village.
The group has raised concerns that the scheme could “decimate” a valued green corridor running through the centre of Portreath, which they say is home to wildlife and widely used by the community. A petition opposing aspects of the plans has already attracted hundreds of signatures.
Some residents also argue that the proposals do not go far enough in addressing wider flood risks, including sea flooding and sewage overflow, and warn that the redesigned stream channel could increase environmental and public health risks.
Civil engineer and local resident Ramsey Neseyif said the original plans included upstream attenuation features which he believes would have reduced pressure on the village more effectively.
“What is proposed is only addressing a 1 in 20 storm,” he said, adding that in his view the scheme “doesn’t provide” sufficient long-term protection.
Another resident, Ellie Oakley, warned that the works could significantly alter the stream environment. “The proposed scheme will decimate the beautiful wildlife corridor,” she said, raising concerns about water quality and public safety.
Despite the opposition, some local politicians say the project is necessary to reduce risk in a community that has experienced flooding in the past. Portreath was last significantly affected by flooding in 2016, when a blockage on a protective screen in the river contributed to water overtopping into the village.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said the scheme aims to ensure the stream can function more effectively during heavy rainfall events, while balancing environmental considerations.
They added that the project is focused on retaining natural embankments where possible, and where vegetation is removed, “native species will be replanted and solutions used that allow for habitat creation”.
The agency also continues to hold monthly public drop-in sessions in Portreath, where residents can speak directly to the project team.
As debate continues, the village remains divided between those calling for stronger flood protection and others urging a rethink of a scheme they fear could permanently change one of Portreath’s most recognisable natural features.