Forton Scheme FAQs

Badgers are known to be well-established around Forton. Badgers are located in the vicinity of the project site. 

Badgers are a protected species and the project team are working closely with an independent ecology consultant with specialist knowledge in protecting badgers to help ensure these animals are not put at risk.  

Work has been done to identify the locations of the badgers. The works are planned so that we minimise potential disturbance to any badgers in the area through careful planning, strict controls on construction activities and on-site monitoring in conjunction with our works contractor.

A section of the flood defence has been redesigned to reduce the potential impact to the badgers. 

We are complying with all legal requirements as well as good practice associated with the badgers. This includes carrying out certain works only during the summer months to avoid the most sensitive times for badgers.  

Throughout construction works we will continue to monitor the badger activity.

In Forton there are 66 residential properties that are currently at risk from a present-day coastal flood event. With the effects of climate change, this number is expected to increase to 211 residential and 16 commercial properties by the year 2060. 

Local infrastructure is also at risk from flooding. This includes:

• The A32/Forton Road
• Three electricity sub-stations 
• Surface water pumping station & sewers 
• Pressure gas mains 
• Telecoms and cable networks  

Global sea level has been rising over the past century, and it is the dominant factor of increased coastal flood risk. With continued ocean warming, sea levels are predicted to rise for many centuries at rates higher than that of the current century. Alongside this, flooding in the UK is often associated with extreme weather conditions, including storm surges, which are expected to become more severe. The new sea defences at Forton are being constructed to protect against coastal flooding today and into the future. 

Further information on the flood risk can be seen here: https://coastalpartners.org.uk/project/forton-flood-risk

For more information and a summary of the most recent climate projections for the UK visit here:

 https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/approach/collaboration/ukcp/index

The Southsea Coastal Scheme in Portsmouth is the UK’s largest local authority-led coastal defence project. This scheme will stretch for 4.5km from Old Portsmouth to Eastney and will help to reduce the risk of flooding to more than 10,000 homes and 700 businesses. Approximately 4,000 of these properties are at risk of direct threshold inundation. 

The current central government approach to funding Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) schemes is called ‘partnership funding’. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) grant is prioritised by the number of properties which a scheme is likely to protect from flood or erosion risk. In Southsea there are a high number of homes at risk therefore the scheme has been awarded nearly £100m of funding from the government.

In Forton, 66 properties are at risk from a 1 in 100 year flood event. This is expected to rise to 211 residential and 16 commercial properties by the year 2060. Therefore, any available central government funding for the project is relative to the risk presented by flooding.

The sea defences will consist of a reinforced concrete flood wall in the grounds of St Vincent College at the western end of Forton Lake. The new flood wall will be around 1m in height and will be finished with a brickwork cladding and coping stones. As well as the flood wall, there are two low level areas of road raising and removable flood boards. Defences will cover approximately 240m of coastal frontage.

Construction is due to start in April 2024 and is expected to be completed by November 2024. Some construction noise should be expected from material movements, breaking out the existing ground and general movement of construction equipment within the site area. Construction traffic should not impact road users or those using the adjacent footpaths around the Forton site. Safety signs may be erected near the college entrance opposite Jervis Drive.  

The Flood defence scheme in Forton is situated at the western end of Forton Lake, as this was identified as a priority area for a flood scheme. The calculation of number of properties at risk was modelled during the early stages of the project. 

For more information about flood risk of your specific property, you are able to search specified postcodes on the Environment Agency website via the link here: https://www.gov.uk/check-long-term-flood-risk