On this page you will find information on some of our Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Projects. These projects involve working in partnership with other Risk Management Authorities, such as the Environment Agency, South West Water and others.
Property flood resilience
Property Flood Resilience (PFR) is sometimes called Property Level Protection (PLP) or Individual Property Protection (IPP).
Sometimes it is inevitable that a property will flood. This is because it is in a location that is vulnerable to flooding and a flood protection scheme isn't viable. This may be for technical, practical or economic reasons. PFR is about making individual properties more resilient for when they do flood.
Cornwall Council has recently run two projects to promote PFR:
- South West PFR Pathfinder: Cornwall Council led one of three national pathfinder projects funded by Defra. The purpose of the project was to boost the uptake of PFR. To achieve this, the project investigated barriers to PFR. It also created a demonstration site, mobile roadshow and much more. Look out for the Be Flood Ready logo.
- Cornwall PFR Delivery Project. Cornwall Council and the Environment Agency pooled funds to provide a PFR grant scheme. This scheme helped local people to access and install PFR measures. We provided over 40 flood hazard surveys and supported almost 30 households to install PFR measures on their properties.
The Council has recently started a new PFR scheme. This scheme will provide property flood hazard surveys and grants for homeowners to install PFR. If you would like to know more, please visit our Property Flood Resilience projects page.
Making Space for Sand
Making Space for Sand is a coastal resilience innovation project. The project looks at how we can use sand dunes as a natural defence against flooding and coastal erosion. Dunes will also play a part in protecting us from predicted future sea level rise and storms due to climate change. The project is one of 25 projects funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme (FCIP). The Environment Agency manages this programme. The programme aims to drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.
The aims of the Making Space for Sand project are to:
- increase understanding of problems associated with sea level rise and coastal erosion
- increase understanding of the impact this will have on coastal communities
- encourage a more sustainable use and development of the coastal fringe
- allow for a more natural, ecosystem approach to coastal management.
40 locations along the Cornish coastline have been identified to benefit from the project. All sites will undergo basic assessment, but outputs will be more significant at locations where data will be of a wider value.
The project, with the support of partners, is undertaking a range of activities, including:
- Information gathering, comparing past and present beach and dune conditions
- Data modelling to evaluate changes and envisage how our coastline might look in the future
- Ecological assessments about the condition and biodiversity of the dunes
- Coast Snap, a community science project. Coast Snap gathers photographic evidence of how our beaches are changing
- Community engagement to facilitate adaptation and resilience plans and improved dune management
- Identifying interventions which will help build community resilience
For more detail about the project's aims, objectives, activities and how to get involved please visit the Making Space for Sand Website.
Visit the Making Space for Sand website
Future Coast Bude
The Future Coast Bude project is funded by Defra. It is also part of the Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme (FCIP). Future Coast Bude is one of several projects funded through the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (CTAP) portion of this fund.
The approach to how we address a changing coastline for Bude (and the country) is set out in national plans known as the Shoreline Management Plan. The aim of Future Coast Bude is to encourage the more sustainable use and development of the coastal fringe in Bude, in line with the national plan. It will take into account the social and economic challenges presented by a naturally changing coastal environment. The project's activities can be broken down into three themes:
- Asset resilience and relocation
- Visioning and adaptation planning
- Accessibility, inclusion and coastal literacy
Learn more about Future Coast Bude
The St Austell Bay Resilient Regeneration (StARR) Project
The StARR project aims to reduce flood risk to communities living and working in the St Austell Bay area, particularly in Par and St Blazey. The scheme will bring additional benefits to the area by encouraging investment and making St Austell Bay a better place to work, live and play. StARR has won several awards, most recently being shortlisted for a Flood & Coast Excellence Award.
Partnership working
These organisations are working in partnership to develop the StARR project:
- Cornwall Council
- The Environment Agency
- The Westcountry Rivers Trust
- The University of Exeter
- South West Water
Funding
The project received funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This is part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. Additional funding was provided by a variety of sources including:
- DEFRA Growth funds
- Flood Defence Grant in Aid
- South West Water
- Cornwall Council
For further information please email StARR@cornwall.gov.uk.
Please visit the StARR page for more communications and details of the project. You can also watch this video to learn more about the project:
Looe flood defence scheme
Looe is described as “the most frequently flooded town in the UK” and is at risk of even more severe flooding as a result of climate change. A Looe Flood Defence Scheme is vital to maintaining Looe as a viable fishing and tourism destination. It will also secure its environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Looe is at the bottom of the narrowest part of the Looe valley where the river meets the sea. This makes it particularly vulnerable to flooding. This flooding is caused by high sea water levels, wave action in the inner harbour and by surface water flooding from intense rainfall during storms. Looe is a key tourist destination. It is also a thriving fishing port. Flooding in Looe has caused significant damage; to businesses, residential properties and key transport links.
Over the next 100 years, sea levels are predicted to rise by more than 1 metre. This will increase the area at risk of flooding from 2.5 hectares to 16 hectares.
This expanded flood prone area includes :
- the local GP surgery
- the police station and fire station
- main food stores and cafes
- the fish market
An increase in the risk of flooding could deter people from visiting the town and affect the strong tourist economy. It could also affect holiday parks, communities and businesses across South East Cornwall.
The emerging Looe Neighbourhood Development Plan recognises the importance of the harbour to the economy of the town. The Looe Neighbourhood (Development) Plan Vision is:
“By 2030, Looe will be a community that has revitalised its maritime and coastal-based economy into one that brings prosperity to all. It will significantly reduce its impact on the environment, whilst maintaining its special character”.
Several different options have considered as potential solutions during the past 20 years. In July 2015 Looe Harbour Commissioners funded work to design a new food defence scheme. 95% of local residents supported the draft design. In March 2019 Cornwall Council’s Cabinet supported the development of the Looe Flood Defence project. Members allocated £2.3m from the South-East Cornwall Regeneration Programme. The aim was to develop a viable and environmentally friendly solution to the flooding challenges.
This exciting project is being led by a range of partners. These include:
- Cornwall Council
- Looe Harbour Commissioners
- Environment Agency
- Looe Town Council
- Looe Development Trust
- West Looe Town Trust
- East Looe Town Trust and
- The RNLI
Development of a potential scheme involved significant engagement with the local community. A recommended solution has been produced, including several elements:
| Element | Benefits |
| A tidal barrier | This will close when a flood warning is issued |
| A breakwater | This will prevent wave overtopping of the flood gates during tidal surges. It will also offer a shelter for vessels when the flood gates are closed. |
| An extension to the Banjo Pier | This will create a low water landing stage providing all day easy access to the harbour. This may have also help improve bathing water quality. |
| A cut-off wall below East Looe beach | This will prevent tidal flooding bypassing the tidal barrier. |
| A new walkway from Pennyland in the town to Hannafore | This will provide access to the coast path and protected access off of the main road. |
The proposal is supported by the local community and landowners. It aligns with the Looe Neighbourhood Development Plan. However, delivery of this scheme is dependent on securing external funding. At this time, it has not been possible to identify this.
To learn more about the scheme and ongoing activities, please visit the Let's Talk Cornwall website.