Policy paper
Leigh expansion and Hildenborough embankment scheme
The scheme will increase storage capacity and involve construction of an embankment.
Details
The Leigh expansion and Hildenborough embankment scheme is being delivered by the Environment Agency in partnership with:
Kent County Council
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council
South East Local Enterprise Partnership - which is now the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership)
Updates to this page
Published 25 July 2017
Last updated
224 MayAugust 2025
+ show all updates
4 August 2025
Updated scheme's progress - added photographs showing installation of the second new gate, completed concrete work for the new penstock chamber and an aerial view of the Hildenborough construction site
22 May 2025
Updated scheme's progress, added photographs showing work beginning on the Hawden Stream penstock structure and set-up at the Hildenborough site
24 December 2024
Updated scheme's progress, added photograph showing first new gate being installed at the Leigh flood storage area control structure and image of indicative design of the Hildenborough embankment scheme.
29 August 2024
Changed December 2023 to August 2024 and updated Leigh flood storage area expansion and Hildenborough embankment under a new section - 'August 2024 update'. Amended Leigh FAS to Leigh flood storage area and updated its lines with that of Hildenborough under the 'Next steps' section.
16 January 2024
Made changes to the March 2023 update with current project works as at December 2023. Updated project activities for 2024 up to when project is expected to finish in 2025. Brought 'Medway catchment project' section before 'More information'.
6 April 2023
Added an update for March 2023.
19 December 2022
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council granted planning permission for the Hildenborough embankment aspect of the scheme in November 2022.
2 November 2022
October 2022 update added, FAQs deleted
29 March 2022
March 2022 update added together with two maps
25 October 2021
Page updated with latest information 25/10/21
1 July 2021
Title corrected to 'Leigh expansion and Hildenborough embankment scheme' 01/07/21
30 June 2021
Old next replaced with new 30/06/21
26 August 2020
Update August 2020.
14 November 2019
Figures updated 14/11/19
21 August 2019
Updates to the page 21 August 2019.
21 August 2019
Updates to the Leigh expansion and Hildenborough embankments scheme 7 August 2019.
2 October 2018
Update on the scheme.
7 September 2018
Updated information on the scheme.
25 July 2017
First published.