CONCERNS over plans to flood grade one agricultural land have been raised with an MP.

Sir Peter Tapsell, MP for Louth and Horncastle, heard on Friday concerns about an Environment Agency scheme to flood 140 hectares of top quality land in the North Somercotes and RAF Donna Nook area for wildlife habitat.

The £7 million scheme aims to replace habitats which will be lost to rising sea levels and help with the realignment of the coast around the Humber estuary.

The plan would involve allowing the sea banks to be breached to help create salt marsh for birds as part of European directives.

RAF Donna Nook is a nature reserve and an active bombing site for the Ministry of Defence.

Alwyn Drewery who farms on the land said: "This is the only grade one agricultural land in the area – you have to go as far as Boston to find some of the same standard. If this plan goes ahead, enough wheat to feed 6,000 people would disappear."

A public meeting was held in July in North Somercotes.

ELDC ward member Coun Robert Palmer said: "The feeling at the meeting was very anti towards the scheme. Residents object to taking away tremendous amount of valuable land at a time when we need it the most. We are hoping to have another meeting towards the end of November."

He said there were also concerns that flood risks could be neglected.

Guy Williams, co-ordinator for the Lindsey Marsh Sea Defence Group, said: "We are the only country under the EU directive giving up grade one agricultural land. We have actually gained 1,000 acres of salt marsh for the birds since the Second World War."

Dave Dumridge, assistant director of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, said a similar scheme has been created at Frieston Shore by the RSPB.

He said: "Any habitat involvement is a good thing in the coastal area of the Humber as all the salt marsh is getting lost in the soft defences. As a trust we are aware of the local concerns around the loss of agricultural land."

John Pygott, Environment Agency's project manager for the scheme, told the Target the agency has bought the land but the scheme will not go to planners until next year.

He said: "If we are not able to provide areas of habitat to help maintain defences here, our other schemes to protect people and land would grind to a halt. We know this is the only high grade land around the Humber but in the overall scheme of things this is a very small proportion compared to what has been protected elsewhere."

He added that the scheme would allow a new, better bank defence scheme to be created.

Land issues: Representatives from different bodies met with MP Sir Peter Tapsell to discuss an Environment Agency plan to flood 140 hectares of grade one arable land. From left: Dave Dumridge, assistant director of the Lincolnshrie Wildlife Trust, Alwyn Drewery, who farms on the land, Coun Robert Palmer, Sir Peter and Guy Williams, coordinator for the Lindsey Marsh Sea Defences group.