MORE than 1,000 people have signed a petition against proposals for new flood defences on the Victoria Embankment.

The 1,400-name document has been handed to Nottingham City Council, which is planning to revamp the area, while the Environment Agency creates the flood defences.

Residents have been asked for their views on the initial proposals and a number of changes have been made.

The revised plans will be unveiled for the first time on July 28 at Medfest, a picnic and music festival taking place in Queen's Walk Recreation Ground, The Meadows.

Campaigners are worried about an embankment – known as a bund – across playing fields in the first plan.

It measured 1.8-metres at its shortest point and 3.1-metres at its tallest point.

It is believed that, despite protests, the part of the bund across the playing field is likely to remain in the revised plan.

Jonathan Hughes, who lives in The Meadows and is a member of the Friends of Victoria Embankment, gathered names for the petition.

He says people would prefer instead a flood wall along the River Trent to be made taller.

"The Victoria Embankment is a masterpiece of aesthetic Victorian engineering, flood defence and beauty," he said.

"The new bund is dividing up and destroying what is now an historic community facility.

"It is vital to The Meadows because it is built-up. We need the open space network to remain as it is.

"The Embankment was given to the people of Nottingham by Jesse Boot in perpetuity."

Mr Hughes previously fought to retain the historic Victoria Embankment bandstand, which was due to be demolished as part of the flood defence plans.

It is now listed by English Heritage.

Coun Dave Trimble, Nottingham City Council portfolio holder for leisure, culture and communities, said: "The new plans have incorporated the views and requests put forward during our consultation last September. We listened to public concerns and the wishes of local residents and organisations and made some significant changes to the original plans.

"The revised flood defence alignment means the new play ground is now being built on the same site as the old playground, the bandstand will remain, the front of the War Memorial will not be affected and the new alignment is in front of homes at the far end of the site.

"There will be the same amount of space for recreation and our aim is still to create a more varied landscape.

"These changes are all the direct result of the concerns raised by the public while still maintaining the need to provide flood defences for The Meadows."

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: "We are still working with partners on the plan and we will be finalising our proposals in time for them to go on show to the public at the Medfest."