Hull ‘aquagreen’ approved

Plans for a large ‘aquagreen’ in east Hull have been given the go ahead.

Designed to reduce flood risk to 870 homes and businesses in the North Carr and Sutton areas of Hull, the aquagreen will provide a versatile space for use by the community, as well as alleviating drainage problems.

Located south of the old Bransholme Dairy Farm, the aquagreen will work by storing excess water during a flood and then slowly releasing it back into the drainage system after the peak of the flood has passed.

Homes in North Carr and Sutton are currently at risk of flooding from water in the Holderness and Sutton Cross drains after heavy rain. The Holderness Drain is a man-made river channel. When it becomes full, water flows into Sutton Cross Drain, overwhelming the local drainage system and increasing the risk of flooding for homes in the area. This area narrowly avoided disaster in November 2019 when other parts of Hull were affected by flooding.

Work is expected to start late spring as part of the second phase of the £28.5M Holderness Drain Flood Alleviation Scheme, and follows construction of the new East Hull Pumping Station.

Andrew Barron, Environment Agency flood risk advisor for Hull, said: “This is a really important step in the delivery of the Holderness Drain Flood Alleviation Scheme, which will reduce flood risk to hundreds of homes and businesses in the North Carr and Sutton areas. The scheme, which also includes a new pumping station, will contribute to making the Humber region more resilient to the effects of climate change.”

Councillor Dean Kirk, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for flood risk, said: “The works at Castlehill will deliver many more benefits alongside the reduction in flood risk to homes and businesses.

“These include job creation for local people through the materials and workforce supply chain in the construction phases, habitat creation, improved water quality, connecting communities with the heritage and nature of the site and amenity value.”

The project is part of a record £5.2Bn investment by the Government in 2,000 new flood and coastal defences across the country between 2021 and 2027.

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