Vast basins set to protect flood-prone village

Engineers have completed the excavation of giant flood storage basins to protect a village that has seen repeated flooding in the last three decades.

Saham Toney, near Watton in Norfolk, was identified as a priority area by the Norfolk Strategic Flood Alliance (NSFA), which laid the groundwork for a 22,000 cubic metre basin - ahead of schedule and under budget.

The full scheme involves creating two large flood storage basins capable of holding the equivalent of more than nine Olympic-sized swimming pools and 14 leaky dams.

Liz Whitcher, chair of the Watton Saham Flood Action Group, said: "The impact of being flooded is enormous."

The flood storage basins work by temporarily storing floodwater during periods of heavy rain, whilst releasing it slowly to reduce downstream flood risk and taking pressure off known bottlenecks in the village.

Norfolk County Council said that while £700,000 was originally estimated for the scheme, the final cost came in under budget.

The work is part of a wider flood alleviation scheme that will continue over the next two years.

A second basin is due to be constructed next spring and is being built on land owned by the Parish of Saham Toney.

It has been jointly funded by Norfolk County Council, Anglian Water and central government - and constructed by the Norfolk Rivers Internal Drainage Board (IDB).

Henry Cator, chairman of the NSFA, said: "The scheme in Saham Toney is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together.

"In this instance, collaboration has delivered real reassurance for residents."

The scheme has also been made possible by landowners, including Sir David Ralli, whose land is home to the first basin.

"When I was first approached, I had concerns," he said.

"But the team explained the long-term benefits clearly - not just for the village, but for the land itself.

"I've seen how these basins improve soil moisture and support wildlife. It's a win-win... the countryside needs to step up."

The basin is said to be able to safeguard more than 30 homes from the impacts of extreme weather, including heavy rainfall and storms, with the second basin due to be built next year on land owned by the parish.

The authority also hopes the basins will bring environmental benefits, including improved habitats for amphibians and better water retention for agriculture during dry spells.

James Bensly, Conservative councillor and cabinet member for environment and waste, said it was one of the largest flood mitigation schemes ever delivered in the county.

Ms Whitcher added: "We've been working with the village that is north of us, Saham Toney, for the whole time because we share the same problems that lead to flooding.

"It's huge in our town, Watton."

She said a storm in 2009 led to 83mm of rainfall, in 2016, there was 67mm, and in 2020, 104mm of rain fell.

However, she said the watercourses and drains had been unable to cope, and water would run off the roads.

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