COUNCILLORS have given the go-ahead for flood defences to be built through the enclosure of the Victoria Embankment's historic bandstand, despite public opposition.
Nottingham City Council's development control committee unanimously agreed yesterday to grant the Environment Agency-listed building consent to alter the bandstand's terrace as part of the �51 million Trent Left Bank flood alleviation scheme.
The top of the bandstand's tiered seating area and its gravel path will be raised by 1.6 metres.
Campaigners objected to the scheme as they believed it would hit use of the bandstand.
But planning officers told councillors that the scheme had found a balance between the needs for the flood defences and preserving the bandstand's heritage.
Clifton councillor Ian Malcolm said: "I welcome this. This new footpath will be an improvement on what there is. I know some people are reluctant but there has got to be change.
"Flooding has serious effects and people have to face up to the fact that this is essential."
Wollaton councillor Dick Benson said: "If we do not allow this there is going to be a hole in the defences."
The plan will see the path on top of the new embankment widened and used as a cycle path.
The Environment Agency says that it has worked with English Heritage to ensure the proposal is appropriate.
The council received two petitions objecting to the changes, one signed by more than 500 people.
Campaigner Jonathan Hughes, chairman of the Friends of Victoria Embankment, handed in the petitions and said he believed the plan will reduce the audience capacity of the enclosure and alter its acoustics.
Mr Hughes, of Victoria Embankment, said: "I think it is a rather short-sighted decision and somewhat disrespectful to Jesse Boot, who donated the land for public use.
"The scheme doesn't show much regard for the bandstand and I'm greatly disappointed."
Mr Hughes said the decision had "flown in the face of local opinion" and added that he would now focus on campaigning to preserve the grounds from future development.
He successfully led a campaign last year to save the bandstand.
English Heritage registered the 1930s Art Deco bandstand as a Grade II-listed building to protect it.
The entire Trent Left Bank flood defence scheme will protect 16,000 homes on the north bank along a 27-kilometre stretch from Sawley to Colwick.
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