A scheme to protect 36 homes in Southwell from flooding has been given the go-ahead.
The Potwell Dyke scheme, which has been approved by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Planning and Rights of Way Committee, features a reinforced earth bund and is designed to protect homes from flooding by holding back water during times of exceptionally high flow.
The 5,200-tonne attenuation bund will be constructed on Harvey’s Field, off Church Street, and has been designed to release water from the storage area in a controlled manner using a hydraulic mechanism once flow levels downstream have subsided.
Alongside the 36 homes that the scheme will directly protect from flooding, a further 34 homes will benefit from reduced flood risk once the bund has been constructed.
This scheme is part of wider flood prevention works in Southwell, with other schemes in and around the town, including increasing surface water capture on Church Street, additional attenuation measures in ditches on Kirklington Road and Springfield Road, and the construction of a small bund to increase water storage at Starkey’s Pond. Changes to some footpaths crossing Harvey’s Field will be needed when constructing the scheme, and so steps and a handrail will be built into the bund to ensure that existing routes can be maintained.
Construction works on the Potwell Dyke scheme are estimated to start in April 2026, following a comprehensive programme of archaeological investigation due to the historical significance of the site. Excavation work will take place during the drier months this summer to record any surviving archaeological remains within the site. Previous investigations nearby have identified Roman villa remains and an Anglo-Saxon cemetery, indicating significant historical activity in the area. The excavation will be carried out in stages, involving a team of between four and six professional archaeologists, starting with the area west of Potwell Dyke, which has the most extensive known remains. No construction work on the bund will start until this is finalised, and archaeological monitoring will continue throughout the construction period under the supervision of an experienced Archaeological Clerk of Works to ensure that any further discovered artefacts are carefully handled and preserved.
Jacky Huson, a member of the Southwell Flood Forum, said: “This is undoubtedly very positive news for the people of Southwell.
“This scheme is very close to my heart, particularly because my home flooded in both 2007 and 2013 due to the Potwell Dyke, and I would like to thank both Nottinghamshire County Council and Via East Midlands for their determination in bringing this scheme one step closer to reality.
“Those of us living in Southwell, and of course other communities affected by floods, always feel anxious when rain comes, and so the news of planning approval for this scheme is very welcome.
“We appreciate the sensitivities and complexities of this scheme and are pleased that the design blends in well with the landscape.
“We look forward to continuing our close work with the county council and other partners as this scheme develops further.”
Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The approval of this scheme from the Planning and Rights of Way Committee is a significant step in this project, which has been discussed for a number of years.
“It is great news for residents in Southwell – especially those living in properties that will be protected by this new earth bund.
“The design of this scheme is very sympathetic to the local environment, and the earth bund will be seeded with a bespoke wildflower mix.
“It is with regret that a number of trees will need to be removed as part of the construction works; however, we are committed to replacing these species with new trees on the west bank of Potwell Dyke.
“We would like to thank all partners who have been involved in this scheme and look forward to continuing our close work throughout the next stage of the project.
“Now approved, the archaeological investigation works can take place, and these are particularly important due to other significant finds in the local area in recent years.
“We will keep local residents updated on the next steps, and I look forward to visiting the site once the scheme is complete to hear first-hand about the benefits that it will bring to local residents.
“I have seen first-hand the devastating impact that flooding can have on communities, and we remain committed to supporting and investing in communities across Nottinghamshire, both when responding to flooding and working to prevent future events.”
