Contentious flood alleviation scheme plans for a Calderdale town are unlikely to come before planning councillors until early next year.

The Environment Agency submitted its application for the proposed £81m flood alleviation scheme for Hebden Bridge in September.

The application for the main scheme is not on the agenda for Calderdale Council’s planning committee meeting for Tuesday, December 2, and the committee is not due to meet again until January 6, 2026.

The scheme is proving very controversial, with objections including the impact of businesses of a potential four-year duration of the scheme and concerns about the visual impact on its settings and also potential closure of a large part of Calder Holmes Park for use as a compound during construction work.

Hebden Bridge flood alleviation scheme artist's impression - the Wavy Steps with the barrier down

placeholder image — Hebden Bridge flood alleviation scheme artist's impression - the Wavy Steps with the barrier down

Supporters argue that long-term protection to reduce flooding risk is essential, given the devastation flooding has wreaked on the town in recent years.

At time of writing, more than 130 objections and 45 expressions of support, and six neutral, have been published on the council’s planning portal.

Separately, a number of applications seeking listed building consent for work affecting various structures including a historic weir have also been submitted by the Environment Agency.

Calderdale Flood Recovery and Resilience Programme Board were told this month that the full business case for the scheme is forecast to be submitted to the Environment Agency’s Large Project Review Group in early 2026, pending the decision on the planning application.

The tendering process for a construction contractor has started on the open market and there is “significant interest”, board members heard.

The board also heard the scheme’s project team are continuing to investigate the viability of an alternative option that could either negate the need for a compound in Calder Holmes Park or reduce the size of the area required.

The Environment Agency’s information centre in the town at Valley Road remains open to the public to ask questions and find out more about the proposals.

There is also a “frequently asked questions” section about the scheme on the Eye On Calderdale flooding website.

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