And now residents across Fylde are demanding to know why they haven't been consulted about the proposal.

The barrage could be built on the River Ribble as part of an £800m project to make Preston the third city of the North West, with 4,000 new homes, leisure, offices and shops around the new waterways, rivalling other prestigious marinas like Salford Quays.
One possible location for the barrage is near Freckleton, just three miles from Lytham.

But Fylde MP Michael Jack said: "Mankind has an enormous responsibility to look after the estuary and its wildlife and I don't think we should be monkeying around with that for the sake of making money.
"You play around with nature at your peril. I remain deeply sceptical about this proposal."

The idea has been mooted by Preston City Council. Leaders say the barrage would keep the water level constant to "establish Preston as a national centre for water-based leisure activities".
It would also provide flood protection for thousands of homes in the Ribble floodplain.

But environmentalists are worried how the barrage would affect the 250,000 birds which inhabit the Ribble estuary.
Fred Moor, secretary of Fylde Civic Awareness Group, said: "It could have implications for Warton and Freckleton and even downstream in St Annes.
"It could lead to silt building up at the mouth of estuary. What if a road was built on it?
"It's probably the lack of information which concerns most people."

Arnold Sumner, coordinator for St Annes Chamber of Trade, said: "Are you content to see Preston City control the amount of water coming down the Ribble in front of Lytham St Annes?"

See this week's Express for full report.