The Environment Agency has started work on a major new flood storage reservoir to better protect homes and businesses in the Nottinghamshire village of Lowdham from flooding.

The £26 million scheme will better protect nearly 200 homes and businesses in Lowdham, Nottinghamshire – the village has a long history of flooding from the nearby Cocker Beck.

will hold 100,000 cubic metres of water in times of flooding.

An official ground-breaking ceremony for the Lowdham Cocker Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme is taking place today attended by Environment Agency officials, local MPs, councillors and members of the local flood action group.

The new flood storage reservoir is being built upstream of the village and will be able to hold up to 100,000 cubic meters of water in times when the Cocker Beck, a tributary of the River Trent, floods, holding water back from inundating the village.

Lowdham has a long history of frequent floods, most recently in 1999, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2019 and in 2020 causing distress to residents and significant damage to properties and possessions.

The scheme is expected to be completed in spring 2026 and once constructed will provide an estimated c £50 million worth of benefits to the village and the local economy.

Construction of the scheme will involve cutting into an embankment of the Cocker Beck and using compacted soil and ultra-low carbon concrete to create a raised reservoir.

Trees will be planted on the site as well as the creation of three hectares of new woodland nearby. The Environment Agency is also working in partnership with Nottingham County Council to remove aggressive non-native plant species including Himalayan Balsam and Knotweed.

Paul Lockhart, Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager at the Environment Agency said:

“We are delighted that we are now in the position of being able to commence the construction of a major Flood Alleviation Scheme to protect the people of Lowdham.

“The reservoir we are building will provide a very high level of protection against flooding to 191 properties, and it represents excellent value for money for the taxpayer.“

The Trent Regional Flood and Coastal Committee has provided over £3 million of Local Levy Funding towards the scheme, with Nottinghamshire County Council separately contributing £500,000.

Vij Randeniya, Chair of the Trent Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, said:

“The Trent Regional Flood and Coastal Committee is committed to reducing flood risk, particularly for those communities that are frequently flooded, of which Lowdham is one.

“The Committee has provided over £3 million of Local Levy Funding to enable this project to progress.

“I am delighted that, with the financial help and support of our partners Nottinghamshire County Council and Newark and Sherwood District Council, we are now able to commence delivery of this scheme to provide better protection to 191 residential and commercial properties in Lowdham.”