Scotland’s largest proposed flood defence project is moving closer to a crucial final approval as plans to protect thousands of homes and businesses around Grangemouth reach a major milestone.
Falkirk councillors will be asked on 17 September to confirm the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme without modification following years of planning, consultation and consideration of objections.
The enormous project would eventually provide around 28km of flood defences and protect approximately 2,760 homes, 1,200 businesses and other non-residential properties, more than 6,000 people and 23km of roads.
It would also help safeguard nationally important infrastructure around Grangemouth, including its industrial complex and port.
Grangemouth and surrounding communities have been identified by SEPA and the Scottish Government as one of Scotland’s highest flood-risk areas because of the potential consequences for homes, businesses, transport links and critical infrastructure.
The scheme would provide protection against both river and coastal flooding, with work proposed along waterways including the Rivers Carron and Avon, Grange Burn, Westquarter Burn and Polmont Burn, as well as sections of the Firth of Forth.
Communities covered by the project include Grangemouth, Wholeflats, Glensburgh, Langlees, Carron, Carronshore and part of Camelon.
The project has now reached one of the most significant points in its long-running development.
More than 10,000 interested parties were formally notified as part of the statutory process, alongside public exhibitions, community events and consultation.
Outstanding objections were subsequently considered at a hearing held at Falkirk Stadium in January.
An independent reporter appointed to examine the objections and evidence has now recommended that the scheme should be confirmed without modification.
Falkirk Council’s Executive will consider that recommendation when it meets at Grangemouth Community Education Unit on Thursday, 17 September.
Councillors will also be asked to determine whether the scheme complies with habitat regulations.
If approved, the council will publish a formal decision notice and complete the remaining statutory procedures.
Further detailed design, procurement and funding decisions will still be required before the flood defences can be built.
The scale and cost of the project have increased considerably during its development. Falkirk Council previously estimated the cost of delivering the complete scheme at between £450 million and £672 million, describing it as by far Scotland’s largest flood protection project and one of the biggest of its kind in the UK.
The council and Scottish Government have since been working on a phased approach to delivering the defences over a number of years.
The River Carron corridor has been identified as the priority for the first phase, covering communities where homes face significant flood risk.
Earlier this year the Scottish Government provided an additional £1.6 million towards developing the scheme, on top of £400,000 previously agreed by Falkirk Council.
The Scottish Government told Parliament in June that Falkirk Council had received £23 million from ministers for the project since 2016-17.
Paul Kettrick, Falkirk Council’s head of investment, assets and climate, said the decision would represent an important milestone but stressed that substantial work remained.
He said: “Flooding can be devastating for people’s homes, businesses and communities, and the impact can last long after the water has gone.
“Grangemouth and the surrounding area face some of the highest flood risks in Scotland. As the climate changes, those risks are predicted to grow.”
He added: “While there is still significant work ahead before flood defences are delivered on the ground, this would be an important milestone in moving the scheme forward.”