Crown Estate Invests in Sunk Island Flood Protection Scheme (UK)

The Crown Estate has spent £450,000 to upgrade the flood protection and drainage system on its Sunk Island Estate.

The works are designed to protect the high grade agricultural land and heritage of the Island.

Improvements will be made to the Spragger Clough Drainage Outfall, the structure which prevents the River Humber flooding the Estate at high tide.

The existing gates will be replaced, repairs made to the floor and side walls and access to the outfall improved, which is integral to the long term protection of the unique drainage system on the Estate.

The Crown Estate’s, Iain Mills said:

“This was a challenging project considering work on the structures, which were originally built in 1883, had to be finished before the end of September 2013 in order to avoid impacts on overwintering birds in the Humber Estuary.

“However, we are delighted that the work has been successfully completed on time thanks to close co-operation from stakeholders including tenant farmers, the Internal Drainage Board, the Environment Agency and the Marine Management Organisation.

“This investment supports and demonstrates our long term commitment to maintaining the Sunk Estate and protecting its agriculture and heritage.”

Originally a sand bank in the Humber Estuary, Sunk Island was reclaimed from the Humber in the course of the last 300 years.

Today, the Sunk Island Estate extends to 4575 hectares, comprising of 34 agricultural lettings and 27 residential properties.

The Estate is part of The Crown Estate’s Rural & Coastal Portfolio which includes around 360,000 acres of rural land and around 27,000 acres of forest and woodland. On the coastal side of the Portfolio The Crown Estate are responsible for a substantial portion of the country’s foreshore.

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Press Release, October 9, 2013