'Get cracking' call on Dingwall Business Park flood bund as planning application raises hopes of economy-boosting development breakthrough
A BUSINESSMAN and former Highland Council budget leader is calling on all concerned agencies to get cracking with flood protection work at Dingwall Business Park.
Alister Mackinnon said the delay to the work was “embarrassing” and is costing the local economy with firms ready and waiting to take up spaces there.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise has lodged plans for an upgraded bund which would break a development logjam by satisfying updated Scottish Environmental Protection Agency standards.
Once the issue of funding has been resolved, Highland Council would adopt the completed structure.
Mr Mackinnon said: “Dingwall will continue to lose out if they don’t get those sorted. It is coming up for three years since we started pushing this and I’m concerned about the lack of urgency.
“Let’s hope we can continue this momentum.”
Mr Mackinnon represents a company with an interest in setting up at the business park and it's known that several other applications have been put on hold pending a breakthrough on the flood bund issue.
Local MSP Kate Forbes has been pressing for a breakthrough and chaired meetings locally between interested parties.
She said: “Whilst I can’t comment on individual planning applications, it is absolutely imperative that the issue with the bund is resolved.
“Dingwall Business Park has huge potential, and it’s right that our public agencies make it as attractive as possible for businesses.
“It has been a long slog since the local councillors and I kickstarted discussions, but I hope we will see progress soon.”
The application acknowledges new development is being stymied by the condition of the existing perimeter flood bund.
The proposed development would increase the resilience of Dingwall Business Park to flooding, including allowing for climate change.
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The perimeter bund has developed along with the development phases of Dingwall Business Park over the last 40 years and now totals approximately 1650m. Its integrity has been undermined by tree roots. The new bund will be increased in height to a maximum of 8.15m.
A report with the planning application acknowledges new development within Dingwall Business Park is currently stymied by the condition of the existing perimeter flood bund due to its design and lack of formal adoption, resulting in SEPA being unable to support new development through their role as statutory consultee to planning applications.
Papers lodged in support of the plans say the proposed development would increase the resilience of Dingwall Business Park to flooding, including allowing for climate change. It is considered that there are substantial public benefits of the proposed development that would clearly outweigh any detrimental impacts of the scheme.
It says the existing perimeter bund has developed along with the development phases of Dingwall Business Park over the last 40 years – the eastern half of the flood bund and business park was developed in the 1980s and the western half of the flood bund and business park was developed in the 1990s. The bund perimeter length now totals approximately 1650m with its height ranging from 7.41m Above Ordnance Datum (AOD) to 7.83m
Trees have grown on the bund since it was constructed and now tree roots undermine the structural integrity of the embankment, which further reduces its effectiveness in providing flood protection.
The business park is therefore at risk from flooding creating problems for new development bids in line with planning policy.
The design of the flood defence will be adequate to provide protection for a 0.5 per cent annual probability (AP) and would be of a sufficient structural standard to be adopted by the council.
The proposed construction of a replacement perimeter flood bund will use the footprint of the existing bund whilst increasing the height to a maximum of 8.15m.
The flood defence would measure approximately 390m along its northern edge, approximately 440m along its southern edge, approximately 440m along its eastern edge and approximately 420m along its western edge.
Dingwall Business Park has been subject to several planning applications for business and industrial development that has the potential to create employment and economic growth.
