ENVIRONMENT chiefs insist they are still weighing up all the options for trying to prevent another devastating flood in Tadcaster - despite suggestions that raising embankments might not win the support of the community.

Dozens of homes and businesses were inundated when the River Wharfe reached record levels and burst its banks on Boxing Day 2015.

The Environment Agency has since been examining ways of stepping up flood protection measures.

Sarah Botherway, practice manager at the medical centre, whose insurance premium payments and flooding excess have soared since it was flooded, said a member of agency staff had given a briefing on its plans.

She said: “The agency showed us what they would have to build to prevent a similar flood breaching the banks, and it would be so high that realistically they don’t think they would get local support.

“They are still looking I think, but are aware that the local community are unlikely to support it because it would be so high there would be no river view.”

She added that the agency had said it was working on a flow model with external consultants and hoped that when it was robust, they would be able to run scenarios through it and come up with options.

An agency spokesman said that at present, no decision had been made over the best way forward to better protect Tadcaster from fluvial flooding.

“We have consultants looking at a range of options for a new scheme which includes raising flood defences, such as the existing embankment along the Wharfe,” he said.

“We are also carrying out a flood modelling study of the lower Ouse and Wharfe to help us optimise the use of flood storage and washlands areas.

“Before we make any decision about flood defences for Tadcaster we will be consulting all relevant parties, including the town council, local businesses, community groups and residents.”