Scottish flood protection scheme to go ahead despite local protest

The Knowle Burn scheme will set out to protect around 70 homes in Dunbarton and will comprise of a 15,000m3 flood storage pond with inlet and outlet controls,

It was originally granted planning permission in January but work stalled after public objections led to the inquiry.

The waterway flooded twice in 2002.

Scottish Minister for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham announced the outcome of the inquiry this week, saying: “Flooding is a serious issue and it is vital that we have adequate protective and preventative measures in place.

“Not only can flooding seriously impact upon our natural environment it can also destroy businesses and even leave people homeless.

“The decision to confirm the Knowle Burn Flood Prevention Scheme without modification was made only after objections and evidence presented at the Public Inquiry had been carefully considered.

“Following the Reporter’s findings and recommendations it was concluded that the Scheme fulfilled the vital criteria in being technically sound, sympathetic to the environment, and crucially, would provide local people with a level of protection delivering value for money over the life of the Scheme.

“Originally promoted by West Dunbartonshire Council to reduce flooding risk to 69 properties in Dumbarton, the local authority will now take forward the scheme to construction.”

Given the past history of flooding in Dumbarton from the Knowle Burn, West Dunbartonshire Council commissioned studies between 2001 and 2004 to develop a flood prevention scheme to mitigate flooding of residential and other properties from the burn, and consulted widely during its development of the proposed scheme.

Sam Bond