A flooding hotspot in Henham is set to become the first area in the county to benefit from a series of flood protection schemes launched by Essex County Council.

The authority has committed £19 million to flood management, with protection work set to take place at sites across the county in the next five years.

Work at Old Mead Lane, Henham, an area notorious for flooding, will mark the launch of the first of eight schemes in Essex, which were identified following a detailed flood investigation report of the area.

The lane has seen numerous flooding problems during heavy wet weather in recent years and was reported to the council by homeowners.

Councillor Roger Hirst, cabinet member for transport, planning and environment, said: “After identifying a number of flood protection schemes across the county, we are really pleased to be making a start on helping homeowners to further protect their properties from flooding.

“The village of Henham is the first of many to be progressed forward and we look forward to embarking on more protection schemes in the future.”

Two phases to the scheme will first see the replacement of pipes and the installation of brick walls and ditch work around the homes on Old Mead Lane. The second phase will install a series of flood fences and flood gates to the previously flooded properties.

Surrounding fencing will be installed in addition to individual property gates as the fencing will prevent the flow of water from one property to another. The fencing and gates will work together to offer the highest protection for the homes.

Chairman of Henham Parish Council, Nick Baker, said: “We’re very pleased and really welcome the work at Old Mead Lane, which has been a problem for a number of years.

“Owen Griffiths, a former councillor, really pushed for it following some quite terrible flooding there over the past few years. I haven’t seen the plans yet, but in theory the idea to alleviate the flooding is excellent.”