As part of the £9.7 million Skipton Flood Alleviation Scheme, the Environment Agency is seeking planning permission to construct a flood storage reservoir at Eller Beck, north of Skipton.

The scheme – which has been submitted to North Yorkshire County Council and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority – includes a dam with a crest height of 14 metres, a concrete spillway and culvert, a minor realignment of the beck and a new access road from the A65. Most of the site is grazing land, but part is occupied by Skipton Golf Club.

A design and access statement says the alleviation scheme is needed as Skipton town centre is at risk of flooding. “The town has experienced a number of flood events in recent history, with significant events in 1908, 1979, 1982 and 2000,” it adds.

The alleviation scheme has three main components – the proposed Eller Beck reservoir, another flood storage reservoir on Waller Hill Beck and the installation of flood walls at various locations.

“The scheme will result in Skipton having a one in 100-year flood protection,” says a supporting planning statement.

The application has already been discussed by Embsay-with-Eastby Parish Council, which raised no objections.