Investigation launched after flooding at primary school near Lincoln

Heighington Millfield Primary Academy was flooded during Storm Babet
-Credit: (Image: Lincolnshire County Council)


An investigation will take place after a primary school in a Lincolnshire village was flooded during a storm. Heighington Millfield Primary Academy, near Lincoln, had to temporarily close after a nearby stream overflowed during Storm Babet in October 2023.

The initial investigation into the event found that groundwater flooding in Heighington was also a factor and that there are significant issues with groundwater getting into the foul sewer network. When Heighington Beck overflowed again in January 2024, flooding was exacerbated by the overloading of the drains.

Lincolnshire County Council will now carry out an investigation into the groundwater around the village, hoping to uncover possible flood risk solutions for the whole village and not just the primary school. Councillor Colin Davie, executive councillor for environment at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "It’s obvious that Heighington Beck overtopping during Storm Babet and other periods of heavy rain is a huge factor in flooding incidents.

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"But lurking underneath the village, the threat of groundwater is little understood. The plan is to use modelling to understand how the groundwater in this area interacts with the drainage systems and what happens during periods of heavy rain. Then we can develop options for possible mitigation measures and reduce the flood risk for Millfield Academy and across the village of Heighington."

A meeting will be held at Jubilee Hall, High Street, Heighington to discuss the groundwater flooding issues with residents first at 5.45pm on November 6. Data will be collected from previous flooding incidents and from other organisations, agencies and businesses involved in flood risk and water management in the village.