Gosport council approves plans for flood defences around Forton Lake

Over the past few years, Gosport Borough Council has been developing plans for flood defences at Forton Lake.

At the council’s regulatory board meeting last night, councillors approved a new L-shaped flood wall, the installation of a flood gate and a raising of the road.

It is hoped that this will better protect the western end of Forton Lake, near St Vincent College, as flooding can occur during extremely high tides.

Ward councillor for Bridgemary North, Cllr Steve Hammond, said: ‘I think this is an appropriate location and design, protecting what it needs to.’

Cllr Piers Bateman, for Lee East, added: ‘A lot of work has gone into this, between the council and our coastal partners.

‘I think it is going to add very significantly to the environmental improvement of the area. I welcome the whole board giving their approval to the application.’

The plans also include the addition of bee bricks – which allow bees to lay eggs inside the brick – vertipools to create new wildlife habitats, and the clearing of debris on the foreshore.

Four trees will also be chopped down, with two new ones being planted.

But ward councillor for Christchurch, Cllr Dawn Kelly, says more could be done to protect those living to the south of the lake.

‘I must say it is a very good scheme,’ she said.

‘But the end of Ferrol Road and Parham Road is vulnerable to flooding, and we can't turn back the tide.’

After a short debate, councillors voted unanimously in favour of the scheme.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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