Major flood scheme go-ahead after objections thrown out

A Flood Protection Scheme (FPS) for Stonehaven has moved a step closer to delivery on the ground.

A Scottish Government Reporter has recommended Aberdeenshire Council’s plans to defend the town should progress following a public hearing in the town in March.

The hearing was an opportunity for the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) to consider objections to the scheme.

Following a consultation 12 objections were received to the scheme – four were resolved through negotiation but the others remained outstanding.

Aberdeenshire Council took a preliminary decision in January 2016 to support the project despite the objections.

The Council’s Policy and Resources Committee approved funding for the scheme, at an estimated value of £14-£16 million, in September 2014.

Scottish Government Reporter, Martin Seddon, said he had taken all the matters raised by the objectors into account, but none provided sufficient grounds for modifying or refusing to confirm the scheme.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Principal Engineer (Major Projects), Rachel Kennedy, said: “We are obviously pleased with the outcome of the public hearing, because the Reporter’s recommendation allows us to progress this scheme if the Infrastructure services committee gives the go ahead in June.

“It was clearly important that objections to the scheme were properly investigated, and weighed up against the benefits to the wider community, and the extensive work we have done to this point means we should be able to move towards delivery of the flood protection scheme on the ground with minimal delay.”