Local campaigners claim Richmond Council is spending two million pounds of taxpayers' money on a flood resilience scheme, ITV News reports.

Residents near Barnes Green believe a flood prevention project from the Council on Beverley Brook will harm wildlife and the biodiversity of the green.

In collaboration with Community BlueScapes, Barnes Common Ltd and WWT, the Council's plans, approved at the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sport Committee yesterday (16 September), propose to create a new 55-metre channel along Beverley Brook between Station Road Bridge and the downstream footbridge.

The new channel will serve as the primary low-flow route, while the existing channel will be retained as a secondary overflow channel during high-flow events.

Community BlueScapes said: "There is a high flood risk to this area caused by a combination of heavy rainfall from storms, and high tide levels in the River Thames, meaning water in the Beverley Brook cannot be released into the River Thames during these conditions.

"It's important that we increase the water capacity in the Brook and near it to cope with this extra rainfall, so it does not overflow to nearby homes.

"While the project will ensure that Barnes Green is drier throughout the year, our restoration also ensures that on the rare occasions when there is a serious flooding incident, Barnes Green can act as a flood plain for the Brook and recover quickly following flood events."

However, Barnes resident Dr Chris Wyhce told ITV News' Rags Martel that the scheme would not stop flooding but simply redirect water from one channel to another and that "it's not" necessary.

A map of the approved works to the Beverley Brook in Barnes Green (credit: Community BlueScapes).

Some locals also criticise the lack of communication from the Council, with only 76 people responding to the consultation.

Shirley Hughes told ITV News: "People will be upset when they see diggers and it's too radical to change without consultation."

One dog walker on the green, who has lived in Barnes since 2003, explained to ITV News that she had not heard of the plans and, as far as she is concerned, "flooding is not a problem".

In addition, part of the project will see the removal of an unused concrete pump house to create a new paddling area for dogs with a safer pebble surface.

As part of the works, four trees will also be removed. The Council says these are either overcrowded or in poor health, and that they will be replaced with eight new trees.

The Council believes that changes over time to the Beverley Brook catchment have led to accelerated water flow and disconnection from its floodplain.

Urbanisation and increased infrastructure have reduced the Brook's floodplain, which is why it argues there is a need for the restoration.

Construction will begin in late September and is expected to take eight weeks. The site will then need an additional 6–12 months to recover, during which time the Beverley Brook will be fenced off.

To watch the full Environment Sustainability Culture and Sport Committee meeting from 16 September, click here and to watch ITV News' report click here.

READ MORE: Willow Café on Kew Green becomes new community favourite.

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