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Planning Advice Note PAN 69
Planning and Building Standards Advice on Flooding
CASE STUDY 5
RIVER TAY, PERTH: Flood prevention in an historic environment
Severe flooding of the River Tay due to a combination of rapid snow melt and very heavy rainfall affected properties in Perth in 1990 and 1993. Following these flood events the former Tayside Regional Council appointed engineering consultants, whose first task was to assess whether a flood prevention scheme would offer a solution. The consultants began by modelling the river system and when engineering proposals emerged, undertook an environmental impact assessment, dealing particularly with the impact on the built environment.
Timber faced flood gates by the North Inch | Although a study of the catchment was undertaken, it was found that management measures upstream would not have obviated the need for defences in Perth. The consultants' report favoured hard engineering solutions, including a large number of walls. Because the Tay flows through the historic core of Perth, the scheme had the potential to massively influence the townscape. While the flood prevention measures were accepted as being essential, the Council took considerable effort to give a high priority to protecting the historic environment, and sourced additional funds to ensure high quality design and materials. Extensive public consultation was carried out during the preparation of the scheme. This resulted in only a small number of objections being lodged, and these were all withdrawn after negotiation and so an inquiry was not required. During the formal consultation process, the Council simultaneously provided fuller information to the community regarding the benefits of the scheme and the proposed measures to mitigate its effects. For example the proposals included replanting trees to compensate for the loss of a large number of mature trees which had to be removed from the riverside. |
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West bank defences, centre of Perth showing hard landscaping and tree planting integrated with the flood wall | North Inch, defence bunds incorporated
unobtrusively into the landscape |
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