The Cuckmere Valley in East Sussex is to be turned into a tidal floodplain, the Environment Agency has decided.

Residents had fought the plans to flood the valley, created by the Victorians in 1846, and turn it into a salt marsh nature reserve.

The Environment Agency’s Andrew Pearce said it knew there would be concern but flood risk management had to change.

He said the valley was under pressure from climate change, rising sea levels, and past interference by man.

Residents who opposed the plan had called for more sea defences to keep the valley in its current state, and had said the plan would destroy wildlife, footpaths and parts of the local beach.

They also expressed concerns about the impact of the floodplain plan on nearby homes and businesses.

Read the full story on the BBC website

Watch a video clip on the BBC iPlayer