Plans for enhanced flood defences in north Kendal have been lodged.
The Environment Agency said it had submitted a revised proposal for the defences between the Lakeland Distribution Centre and Dale Farm on the town’s Westmorland Business Park.
Westmorland and Furness Council will make the final decision.
The agency said the updated proposal built on planning consent originally granted in 2019, using the latest data to improve the design of flood protection measures in this area in north Kendal.
The enhanced scheme includes a 210m reinforced flood wall at Lakeland Distribution Centre and a 370m flood embankment along Westmorland Business Park.
The improvements also feature improved surface water drainage, an upgraded access track, and landscaping/biodiversity measures.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “We value people’s views and are actively engaging with the community from the initial design and development of the proposed flood embankment through to construction.
“The Lakeland to Dale Farm section will further reduce the risks of flooding to the business park and homes, as well as providing benefits to local wildlife.
“This is the next step in moving towards construction of this vital section of the Kendal Flood Scheme.”
The planning application is subject to a statutory consultation period run by Westmorland and Furness Council.
During this time, residents and businesses can view the full application and submit comments directly to the council.
The application and supporting documents will be available on Westmorland and Furness Council’s planning portal at Planning application: 2026/0616/FPA | Westmorland & Furness Council
Meanwhile, the next phase of reinstatement work for the scheme will be completed for the Easter holidays.
St George’s Walk, a road closed during construction will be reopened.
Access has been improved along St George’s Walk with a wider footpath, new drainage and resurfaced road and footpath.
The reopening of the road and footpath will also coincide with the return of the vehicle barrier to its original position at Thorny Hills.
It follows the opening of The Fern Garden area, which included the first of the glass panel defences designed to maximise and retain views of the river.
The agency said: “The nature of the flood work in this area have been complex, with the majority of construction works delivered underground.
“Work at Gooseholme Common has included the complex United Utilities sewer diversion, bespoke glass panel flood walls, the underground infrastructure to house three high volume pumps, and the new Stock Beck culvert system that connects to the new outfall located on the bank of the River Kent.”
Construction has also included the building of a Motor Control Centre to house all the electrical infrastructure to power the stock beck pumps in flood conditions.
Work on the centre building is structurally complete with commissioning of the electrical components, which will power the pumps due to be complete before summer.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “This is a milestone in the delivery of the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme in the town centre.
“The Gooseholme section of the Kendal Scheme is now over 90 per cent completed. We want to hand back the area to the community as soon as possible, which this phased approach allows us to do.
“We are grateful to local residents for their patience, as construction of this part of the scheme has been taking place within the constraints of the town centre.”
When completed, the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme will better protect over 1,920 homes and over 2,250 businesses from the impact of flooding.
