"Every winter we're pumping water out to sea to stop flooding, and every summer we're telling businesses and farmers there isn't enough to go around. That's not a water shortage — it's a water management failure, and it's one we can fix."
James Brown, CEO
FLOW has submitted planning for a proposed water infrastructure project near Epworth in North Lincolnshire
This project will create capacity for approximately 11 million cubic metres of water
First water will be available from 2032 to farmers, industry and environment.
FLOW is a proposed water infrastructure project designed to store water for use when it is needed. The proposal brings together three interconnected below-ground lakes, construction and landscape restoration, with a primary focus on supporting food production and agriculture.
James Brown is leading Project FLOW, drawing on his farming and land-management experience. The project is being brought forward by Farmed Landscape Optimised Water Ltd.
Water is not always available at the time it is most needed. FLOW aims to capture water during higher winter flows and store it for later use, helping build greater resilience for agriculture and food production.
The site near Epworth has been selected for its geology, location and relationship with the local drainage network. These features underpin the proposed approach to storing water and making it available for later use.
Food production and agriculture are the principal focus. The proposed water storage could also support environmental and industrial uses. Supply to individual users would depend on the necessary connections, permissions and agreements.
The proposal is to capture water during higher winter flows in the Idle and Torne catchment. The way water is captured, stored and supplied would be subject to the relevant permissions and operating requirements.
The approach would be tailored to the user and the stage of the project. It would require suitable connections and supply arrangements. The project team can provide more information about proposed arrangements in response to a written enquiry.
The proposals include landscape restoration and habitat creation, including woodland, wet grassland and wetland areas. FLOW also aims to support environmental water needs. The detailed measures and their delivery would be set out in the project and application documents.
The reservoirs would be developed in phases, coordinating excavation, reservoir engineering, material reuse and landscape restoration. The programme would be subject to the necessary permissions and detailed delivery arrangements.
Suitable excavated materials would be reused for engineering and restoration. Sale of suitable materials, including sand and gravel, is intended to help fund delivery of the water infrastructure. Material reuse, sales and restoration form part of the proposed construction approach.
The proposed route has been selected to avoid built-up areas where practicable and provide access to the main road network. Construction would be phased, so traffic levels would vary with the activity taking place. The detailed route and traffic assessment would be available in the application documents once published.
Delivery would take place in phases and depends on the necessary permissions and construction arrangements. Confirmed milestones will be shared when available. The full scheme would not all become operational at once.
Once the application is published, its documents and consultation information can be viewed on North Lincolnshire Council’s planning portal. The FLOW team can help you identify the relevant application through a written enquiry. Planning approval should not be assumed.
Please use the contact form on this website to send your question in writing. Include your name, contact details and the information you would like to receive. This helps us direct your enquiry to the appropriate person and provide a clear written response.
Please follow the instructions and any consultation deadline shown with the application on the council’s planning portal. A question sent to FLOW is an enquiry to the project team; it does not count as a formal planning representation to the council.
Please use the website contact form and identify your message as a press enquiry. Include your publication or programme, your questions, contact details and deadline so it can be directed to the appropriate person.