This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Flood protection for Forres
12/03/2007
Proposals to strengthen flood defences in Forres were published for consultation today.
The move is the first step towards the possible modification of a flood prevention scheme for the Burn of Mosset - as proposed by Moray Council following the findings of a recent public local inquiry.
Before any final decision is taken on the scheme, the Executive must now consider representations from local parties likely to be affected by any modification work. This consultation period will end on April 23.
Deputy Environment Minister Sarah Boyack said: "
"There is a clear need for a flood prevention scheme based on flood storage at Chapelton - together with some other improvements in Forres and Rafford - to reduce the risk of flooding to the many homes and businesses in Forres threatened by the Burn of Mosset.
"The scheme has been considered at public inquiry and the Reporter has recomended a modification to the Scheme to improve its effectiveness. We have to consult those who might be affected by the modification and I urge those affected to express their views now on what is being proposed."
The modification under consideration is as follows:
It is proposed that an embankment, some 200 metres long and with a maximum height of 2.5 metres, will be constructed generally to the east of Wright's Hill, with a crest level of 30 metres above Ordnance Datum to ensure the efficacy of the reservoir at Chapelton Dam and to ensure that the water environment is protected by preventing contamination to groundwater. In addition, the existing piped watercourse conveying water from the springs to the Black Bridge cistern, downstream of Chapelton Dam, for the distillers, Gordon & Macphail, would be abandoned and two new piped watercourses would be laid between the sources and that cistern.
Under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961, works, other than maintenance or repair can only be carried out as a flood prevention scheme, promoted by a Council and confirmed by Scottish Ministers.
Forres has a history of flooding from the Burn of Mosset. Moray Council promoted the Scheme in January 2005 to reduce the risk to some 800 properties to less than 1% annual risk, taking into account of climate change over the life of the Scheme.
A public inquiry was held on 26-27 September and 6 October 2006 to consider two objections to the Scheme and recommended that it should be confirmed with modification.
Under the Act, before coming to a decision, Scottish Ministers must intimate the terms of the modification under consideration to all those whose property might be affected by the proposed modification and take into account any representations made.