Plans to prevent Southwell Racecourse from flooding are approved

The flood alleviation scheme consisting of culverts, bunds, ditches and wetlands areas aims to protect the racecourse which has flooded several times in the past.

Members of the council were told at a planning committee meeting that racecourse owner Arena Racing Company was also prepared to sink £25,00 a year into improvement works to the River Greet and its surrounding tributaries.

A strategic maintenance and flood and ecological improvement plan will be developed with the help of the money and a partnership between the racecourse, the Environment Agency and the Internal Drainage Board.

The money is subject to a five-year review.