AT least 21 properties in Marlcliff, near Bidford, will stand to benefit from flood protection after the Environment Agency confirmed it is submitting plans for a flood alleviation scheme in the village.

Current proposals for the £450,000 scheme, which will be submitted to Stratford District Council next month, involve the construction of a 470m long earth embankment to reduce the risk of fluvial (river) flooding.

The height of the proposed embankment, on the north-western side of Marlcliff bordering on Temple Farm and stretching round by The Hamlet, varies up to 1.5m at the highest point. A new channel would also be created to divert water flows away from nearby properties.

Marlcliff is vulnerable to flooding from the River Avon and two ordinary water courses in the area, one flowing southwards and the other westwards. These converge to the north of the village, and then flow through it.

During the devastating floods in 2007, 21 properties were flooded for three days by up to 1m of water as the Avon burst its banks. This also blocked the only road going into and out of Marlcliff.

At the same time the ordinary watercourses could not flow back into the river and this lead to more properties becoming flooded.

The scheme has attracted funding support from the Midlands Regional & Coastal Committee, Stratford District Council has pledged £20,000 to replace a culvert on the ordinary water course, £33,000 has been secured from the Water Framework Directive to create fish refuges and Bidford Parish Council has agreed in principle to fund a water pump to deal with any remaining water that accumulates behind the embankment.

Public information drop-in sessions will likely be held in the village over the next few weeks. The specific times and dates for these should be available for next week’s paper.