Chairman of the Norfolk Strategic Flood Alliance, Henry Cator, backs Centre Port's plans for a barrage across The Wash

One of the leading voices in the fight against flooding has given his backing to a controversial scheme to create a tidal barrage across The Wash.

Henry Cator, chairman of the Norfolk Strategic Flood Alliance, believes Centre Port’s plans to create the £2billion barrier stretching from Hunstanton to Skegness should be “considered very seriously”.

He believes the scheme, which also includes a container port and a new road linking the two counties, could help secure the future of the Fens by protecting it against flooding and boosting the economy.

His support comes despite environmental groups warning it would have “catastrophic consequences” for the internationally important area and its wildlife.

“There is understandably lots of opposition from environmentalists, as this will change The Wash forever,” he said.

“But it could have huge economic benefits as well as protecting the Fens from flooding.

“I think we should consider it very seriously as a scheme, and on balance, I’d say the pros may outweigh the cons.”

Centre Port’s plans are currently progressing, with CEO James Sutcliffe revealing the company has begun the process of seeking a Development Consent Order (DCO), which is needed from the Government before it can be built.

Critics of the scheme, including the RSPB, Norfolk Wildlife Trust and Wetlands Trust, fear the project would have knock-on effects for other important habitats.

The Wash is one of the most important estuaries in the world for migratory birds and it supports a huge amount of wildlife.

The wildlife groups say similar schemes elsewhere in the world have caused irreversible harm to nature.

However, Mr Cator believes people should approach the project with pragmatism due to the impending effects of climate change.

Rising sea levels, extreme weather and more powerful tidal surges could leave the Fens underwater in future decades.

“People look at the world through rose-tinted spectacles, but the world is changing around us,” he said.

“Either we adapt or deal with the consequences.

“We either consider these projects or we just say ‘nature comes first’ and we cannot build roads and other infrastructure that is needed.”

Mr Cator outlined several benefits to the project, including improved transport links via the container port and road, which he believes will reduce the “huge costs and time” taken transporting goods from Felixstowe to the rest of the country.

“A freshwater reservoir would be created behind it, which could become a very valuable asset considering the risk of future water scarcity,” he added.

However, he acknowledged the project would need significant mitigation projects for nature in other areas, such as compensating habitats.

SO COULD IT BE BUILT?

Mr Sutcliffe confirmed in January this year that Centre Port has secured the investment needed for the scheme, but it is a long way off from being given the go-ahead.

It could take three and a half years to obtain consent and a further four years to build the first phase – the container port off the coast of Lincolnshire near Wainfleet.

It would be powered by hydroelectric turbines sunk onto the seabed, which would also generate enough power for hundreds of thousands of homes, along with businesses.

The barrage would continue across The Wash, carrying a road on top, before making landfall in Hunstanton.

Labour wants Britain to become a “clean energy superpower” and it has promised to reform planning rules to help it achieve its push for net zero.

Cutting environmental red tape is also part of the Government’s ambitions in the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill to make it quicker and easier for major infrastructure projects to progress

However, even with the reforms, Centre Port could find it difficult to persuade officials that the scheme can adequately mitigate the harm it could cause to one of the most important wetlands in the world.