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Burn of Mosset flood prevention scheme
30/07/2007
Proposals to provide flood defences in Forres (Burn of Mosset), to protect hundreds of homes and businesses in the area, have been confirmed, Minister for the Environment Michael Russell announced today.
Confirmation of Moray Council's flood prevention scheme takes into account the modifications recommended by a local public inquiry.
Mr Russell said:
"I am pleased with the outcome of the inquiry, which means Moray Council can go ahead with a sound flood prevention scheme for Forres.
"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.
"This Scheme will provide them with a high level of protection taking account of the likely impacts of climate change over the life of the scheme and will also be sympathetic to the environment, in particular the water environment and will deliver value for money.
"The new Scottish government is committed to protecting vulnerable communities from the threat of flooding, by supporting local authorities efforts to reduce flood risk. We would encourage others to come forward with schemes of this nature."
This is the first Scheme to be confirmed since the severe recent flooding in England and Wales. The Executive has made £42 million of grant funding available in 2007/08 to local authorities to support flood prevention and coastal protection schemes. Confirmed flood prevention schemes that meet the Scottish government's technical, environmental and economic criteria are eligible for grant support at 80 per cent of eligible costs.
The £16 million Forres scheme includes a modification for an embankment to the east of Wright's Hill and the replacement of piped watercourses used by the distillers, Gordon and Macphail to ensure the efficiacy of the reservoir at Chapelton Dam and that the water environment is protected from contamination.
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 one per cent annual risk, taking into account of climate change over the life of the Scheme.
A public inquiry was held on September 26-27 and October 6, 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 Scheme or the proposed modification and take into account any representations made. These had to be submitted by April 23, 2007.