Highland Council withdraw development objections as flood risks addressed

The Highland Council's flood risk management team has withdrawn its objection to Prestige Properties Highland's proposed development of 14 homes at Meadowfield Farm, Auldearn. This decision follows the developer's submission of revised plans and additional information addressing previous flood risk concerns.

Initially, both local residents and the Auldearn Community Council expressed apprehensions about potential flooding due to the site's natural ponds and wetlands, which have historically caused road flooding. The community council's chairman, Roger Milton, acknowledged that while the development could improve an area that had become somewhat of an eyesore, it was also situated in a region prone to natural water accumulation. He emphasized the need for a carefully designed solution to mitigate these threats, noting that such measures were not evident in the original plans.

Reflecting these concerns, the Highland Council's flood risk management team initially objected to the development, pending assurances that adequate measures would be implemented to reduce flood risks and manage drainage effectively. In response, Prestige Properties Highland made layout changes and provided further on-site investigations. The flood risk management team reviewed these revisions and concluded that the updated proposals addressed their concerns. They noted that the proposed land raising would not diminish the ground's capacity to hold floodwater and that the development would not increase flood risk to neighboring properties. Additionally, the removal of the previously proposed swale was deemed acceptable, as it would reduce the likelihood of immediate water discharge into the adjacent burn, thereby mitigating potential flooding downstream.

This development underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between developers, local communities, and regulatory bodies in addressing environmental concerns. The Highland Council's commitment to a risk-based, plan-led approach to flood risk management, as outlined in the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, ensures that such developments are scrutinized to safeguard communities and the environment.

With the flood risk objection lifted, Prestige Properties Highland's proposal is poised to proceed through the planning process, reflecting a balance between development and environmental stewardship.

[Main image: moorland in the Scottish Highlands, credit Stephen Bridger/shutterstock.com]