CALSTOCK Arts was packed full of concerned residents wanting to have their say on plans to solve problems of flooding in the village.

A public drop-in session was organised by officials from the Environment Agency last Wednesday (November 8) to explain to residents, councillors and interested parties how potential works could reduce flood risk to local homes and businesses, while benefiting the environment.

The Environment Agency is proposing to move the embankment back from the river, allowing fields close to the river to flood naturally. This is aimed at preventing flooding of the village car park and some homes upriver of the village.

But the plans have proven controversial with local residents as it could lead to a popular walking route being diverted away from the river.

The Environment Agency organised the meeting to hear views from residents, which could help shape its proposals.

Dan Boswell of the Environment Agency said: ‘It is our job to reduce flood risk to people and properties. We are looking at ways to improve the existing flood defence embankment in Calstock. By moving it inland we can increase its effectiveness at reducing flood risk and allow the creation of inter-tidal habitat to help offset the impacts of rising sea levels on wildlife.’

Calstock ward parish councillor Alastair Tinto said the meeting was packed full of concerned residents.

‘It was well attended and the hall was jam packed as this matter is highly controversial.

‘The Environment Agency said that this existing walkway is not viable as a flood defence and is no longer fit for purpose. What the Environment Agency propose is that they buy the fields and they create a new flood defence which will protect the houses that are at risk of flooding.

‘The main message is that there are mixed views in the community — some people say it will destroy key land, while others say it is a great idea.

‘The people involved with the bike festival are concerned that it could stop the festival from continuing and I have yet to meet someone who wants to lose the existing walkway as it’s the only bit of Calstock that you can walk along the river, which would be a great loss to the community.’

The Environment Agency is seeking to work with local partners to ensure its work delivers as many benefits as possible to the community, including: managing flood risk to the community and the impacts of climate change; protecting the environment and visual landscape of Calstock and the Tamar Valley as an important recreational amenity; and enhancing the environment by attracting additional wildlife to the improved local habitat on land reconnected to the river.

• What are your thoughts of the proposed plans? Send your thoughts to tavistockletters@ tavistock-today.co.uk