Library image – Flooding…
The Environment Agency scheme to build a flood embankment and pumping station in Hildenborough to improve protection of homes has received planning permission from Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.
The works planned at Hildenborough include a new embankment, pumping station, kiosk and flood defence wall. This will form part of the larger flood protection scheme involving increasing the capacity of the Leigh Flood Storage Area (Leigh FSA) by approximately 25%.
Once completed the overall scheme will reduce the risk of flooding for 1,430 homes.
At a cost of around £21.5m, construction is due to start at the Leigh FSA in spring 2023, and is expected, but not confirmed as yet, to begin at Hildenborough in 2024.
The full scheme is expected to be completed in autumn 2025 and will hold over 7 million cubic metres of floodwaters.