Agenda item

(To receive a report by the Environment Agency which provides an update on progress to make the decommissioned Black Sluice Pumping Station site in Boston safe, and the opportunities for local partners to re-purpose the site as a local amenity)

Consideration was given to a report, providing an update on progress to make the decommissioned Black Sluice Pumping Station site in Boston safe, and the opportunities for local partners to re-purpose the site as a local amenity. The Chairman invited Morgan Wray, EA, to present the report to the Committee.

The Committee were advised that EA led a study called the ‘Black Sluice Catchment Works’ in 2012. This study included detailed modelling and economic assessment on a range of scenarios for the whole catchment. Evidence indicated that, whilst the gravity sluice and dual-purpose lock played an important role in managing flood risk to people and property, the pumps did not. Following the study and formal consultation, the EA and Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board (BSIDB) considered either a transfer of the BSPS to the IDB or decommission of the asset. In March 2018 it was confirmed by BSIDB that the cost to refurbish the pumps was not viable to justify a business case, it was subsequently announced that the pumps would be decommissioned. Whilst the pumps had been decommissioned, the EA remained owners of the building. The strategically important gravity sluice and dual-purpose lock at the Black Sluice Complex would continue to be maintained and a £1 million detailed asset inspection and refurbishment of the navigation lock was carried out in 2020 to ensure it remained operational. The EA were now in the second phase of scoping, designing a decommission model and identifying costings to make the site watertight. The heritage value of the site was widely recognised and a would be fundamental to a proposal for a novel eating experience by transforming the building into a bistro while retaining the wow-factor and magnitude of the pumps.

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

• Members appreciated the significant heritage value of the building and stressed their endorsement of a scheme that would avoid this building being demolished.
• Several flood infrastructure projects included public information centers, Members asked if this scheme would offer something similar. Suggestions were made that models and information of the nearby flood barrier were also included. Morgan Wray explained that, while no legal duty bound the EA to do so, they endeavored to publicise all capital projects. If the project was developed as a visitor attraction, the EA would explore further materials to include promoting flood risk information and community resilience. While the EA could provide a monetary contribution to ensure sustainability, it was stressed that this would be taken from maintenance budgets.
• Members were encouraged that the EA were working closely with the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board (BSIDB) to manage flood risk in Boston.
• If the site was to be converted to hospitality use, Members asked if the issues of land availability and car parking had been considered given the potentially high number of visitors. Emphasis was made that mere sustainable transport solutions would not be sufficient to make this operation viable. Morgan Wray noted that the issue of repurposing and sustainable transport would be considered by BSIDB. Initial investigations had identified areas for disabled parking and discussions would be undertaken with neighboring sites.
• If any engines had to be removed as part of the repurposing, Members asked that other FRMAs were given preferential treatment upon disposal consider. Morgan Wray agreed that engines of this age would be highly sought after by other FRMAs and would be duly considered in the event of removal.

RESOLVED

1.      That the update on the Black Sluice Pumping Station Project be received.

2.      That a further progress update be brought to the Flood and Water Management Scrutiny Committee.