£25m Greatham North East Flood Alleviation Scheme given green light

Image description: A view of the cliffs at Boulby, on the Yorkshire coast, the highest cliffs on the east coast of England. An adult and child are pictured sitting on a bench looking at the view.

£25m scheme to reduce flood risk for Hartlepool approved

Planning approval for the Environment Agency’s Greatham North East flood alleviation scheme has now been granted by Hartlepool Borough Council, the UK government agency confirmed.

The Environment Agency (EA) says the new scheme is part of the £30m Tees Tidelands Programme and will combat coastal erosion, reduce flood risk, restore intertidal habitats and reconnect local communities with the estuary.

Construction is due to start in early 2027 and last for approximately 2 years.

The £25m scheme will help reduce the flood risk for Hartlepool and help to combat coastal erosion. It will provide better flood protection to nationally important industry and infrastructure while restoring lost intertidal habitat.

What the scheme involves

The scheme includes constructing a new 1.5km long embankment at Greenabella Marsh, followed by breaching the existing Greenabella embankment to provide better flood resilience and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Clay to construct the embankment will be excavated from Marsh House Farm, an area of land owned by the EA, close to the site. Once excavated, the land at Marsh House Farm will form a saline lagoon, creating valuable habitat. Repair works are also planned on Greatham Creek embankment.

Improving resilience to climate change

A large area of mudflats and saltmarsh on the Tees Estuary will be restored which the EA says will provide valuable habitat for wildlife and capture tonnes of carbon each year. This habitat has been drastically reduced over the past 200 years due to industrialisation, and less than 10% of the original intertidal habitats is estimated to remain.

Joe Reed, Project Manager for the Environment Agency, said:

“The exciting project will improve the area’s resilience to the changing climate and will improve defences in this area to manage flood risk over the next 50 years. With the creation of new vital habitat for wildlife, it will improve biodiversity in the area and help people reconnect with nature.

Structural investigation identified that Greatham Creek embankment and Greenabella embankment are both in a poor condition. Both are difficult to maintain due to the way they were constructed, out of slag boulders in the late 19th century, a by-product of industry at the time.

We will now continue to work on the relevant licences and consents required prior to starting the construction phase early next year and continue to engage with landowners.”

The EA’s announcement highlights the scheme has wide support from local industry and various nature conservation bodies, including Natural England and the RSPB.