NEW moves are underway to create flood defences north of Pickering after a multi-million scheme was scrapped because of the cost.

Forest Research, part of the Forestry Commission, is spearheading the initiative, Slowing the Flow, which aims to build 20 dams at the Hole of Horcum and Levisham Beck this autumn.

Members of the Partnership Project Board, which is overseeing the work, have been told that a range of options was being investigated, following the announcement in June that plans for the construction of a large flood storage area had increased in cost as a result of having to meet standards prescribed by guidance on the Reservoirs Act.

The board agreed that the increase in costs meant that the original flood storage plan could not proceed in the foreseeable future. However, partners were keen to continue with land management improvements to reduce flood risk and to explore other possibilities.

Simon Marrington, the programme manager for Forest Research, said that as a result the partnership board, which includes representatives of Ryedale District Council, Pickering Town Council, Sinnington Parish Council, North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Defra, Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, North Yorkshire County Council, National park Authority, and Durham University, decided to explore several ideas.

They include scope for creating smaller flood storage areas rather than large reservoirs to hold the flood water, if this would avoid the need for the cost involved in meeting the requirements of a large reservoir.

“This would, however, mean having to deal with significant planning and environmental challenges,” said Mr Marrington.

Other options include increasing the funding available to make individual properties more resistant to flooding by using air brick covers, door barriers, and further land management work such as constructing additional woody debris dams and tree planting, as well as trialling mini-flood storage areas at Levisham.

Board chairman Jeremy Walker said: “All partners are very disappointed that the requirements of the Reservoirs Act have made our original flood storage plans unaffordable.

“We hope that the guidance may change as a result of the review of these documents, but we have to be realistic that it may not.

“We therefore want to explore all other means of reducing flood risk, as well as extend the work that has already been done to help slow down flows in the catchment.

“There are many difficulties in this work but we are determined to carry on making improvements that are practicable and affordable.”

The project has already succeeded in constructing 150 woody debris dams and blocking up problem drains on moorland above Pickering. A total of 13 hectares of farm woodland have been planted on land where there is a risk of rapid run-off of flood water, and a further 4.1 hectares of new woodland have been planted.

A total of 370 metres of bank’s have also been restored to reduce erosion and the run-off of flood water. The impact of these measures will be monitored and evaluated as part of the ongoing project.

The board agreed to meet again in early October to review progress.