THE Welsh Government has made nearly three quarters of a million pounds available for a project to reduce the risk of flooding in Little Haven.

Flooding has been caused at the village by shingle building up and blocking a stream from flowing out under a road bridge onto the beach.

Severe storms have caused flooding, with water flowing over the existing sea defences.

The extensive project will be carried out by contractor Dawnus and start on March 6. It will last for 15 weeks.

The flood alleviation scheme will consist of: placing shingle in front of the existing defences to alleviate any overtopping, installing a box culvert to extend the outfall down the beach, raising the current sea defences, replacing lost shingle and restoring the profile of the beach.

The funding announced today (Tuesday) by the Welsh Government will contribute 85 per cent towards the cost of construction of the flood alleviation scheme, a grant value of £729,348 towards the total cost of £858,057.

Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) will provide the remaining 15 per cent of the funding.

Cabinet secretary for environment and rural affairs, Lesley Griffiths, said: “I am pleased to confirm the Welsh Government will provide nearly three quarters of a million pounds of funding to help protect Little Haven from flooding.

“This will provide reassurance to all those who live and work in, or visit this popular village."

PCC cabinet member for environmental and regulatory services, Huw George, also welcomed the announcement.

“We are pleased that we will now be able to proceed with this scheme in order to address the flooding concerns of a number of Little Haven residents,” he said.

However, some Little Haven locals have serious doubts about the project.

Owner of the St Brides Inn pub, Malcolm Whitewright, believes it will reduce the popularity of Little Haven as a venue and threaten the viability of the lifeboat to launch.

“The proposed shingle bank across the beach and extending from the seawall to the end of the slipway will prevent pedestrian access to the beach,” he said.

“It will also prevent boat parking on the beach and prevent use of the top third of the beach between tides.

“Many people believe that the pebbles will move by the action of the sea at each tide and that the slipway will be inundated with pebbles making it unusable.

“Visually, the bank and culvert will be a severe eyesore when viewed from any vantage.”

Collette Francis, who volunteers at the RNLI shop in Little Haven, has concerns about the project's effect on visitor numbers.

“It’s a complete waste of money,” she said.

“People don’t want to visit somewhere with concrete.”

A PCC spokesman said that following a public consultation the plan has been modified to reflect local residents' worries.

A chance to meet the developers will take place on March 1 between 11am and 7pm at the Bowen Memorial Hall, Little Haven. All welcome.