Protest over land flooding plan

Protesters say they are upset at plans to flood 140 hectares of top-quality farmland in Lincolnshire.

The Environment Agency wants land in the North Somercotes area for new wildlife habitats to replace areas lost to rising sea levels.

Some residents have raised concerns about the loss of arable land and the breaching of banks to allow water in.

The agency said it had a legal obligation to provide the habitats, but flood defences would not be neglected.

Habitat creation itself is all part of managing flood risk Philip Winn, Environment Agency

A meeting has been organised for people living in North Somercotes near Louth to voice their concerns.

Alwyn Drury, who farms near from North Somercotes, said: "I don't see the justification for taking away this prime land, which can produce four tonnes of wheat to the acre."

The area is to be turned into salt marsh, which supports a wide variety of bird and insect life. Philip Winn, from the Environment Agency, said: "This site does not create a gap in the flood defences - we are building a new bank further back.

"This will ensure there is a continuous and very effective line of flood defences right along that coast.

"We are very careful about this and this habitat creation itself is all part of managing flood risk."