A scheme to protect a seaside town from its rivers bursting their banks and devastating the area has been approved by the Scottish Government.
The Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme was drawn up by Aberdeenshire Council in an effort to ensure the town did not fall victim to another destructive deluge.
Homes were devastated in Stonehaven in 2009 and 2012 when the River Carron burst its banks, and local people have called for protective measures ever since.
While it won backing from the local authority’s infrastructure services committee last year, there were 12 objections to the plans, four of which were later resolved.
Although Holyrood said it was satisfied with the designs which were being developed, it asked the council to call a hearing in the town.
Government reporter Martin Seddon was asked to consider the objections and make a recommendation.
Now Mr Seddon has confirmed the remaining objections are not sufficient to warrant refusing or modifying the plan, meaning the project has taken a step closer to fruition.
Last night, the project’s principal engineer welcomed his decision.
Rachel Kennedy said: “We are obviously pleased with the outcome of the public hearing, because the reporter’s recommendation allows us to progress this scheme if the infrastructure services committee gives the go ahead in June.
“It was clearly important that objections to the scheme were properly investigated and weighed up against the benefits to the wider community and the extensive work we have done to this point means we should be able to move towards delivery of the flood protection scheme on the ground with minimal delay.”
The scheme is designed to reduce flood risk for 372 homes, two public utility sites, a school and an emergency service site.
The project would bring new culverts, glass-topped flood walls about 6.5ft high and a new embankment along the watercourse.
The river’s Red Bridge could be replaced, the Green Bridge moved, the White Bridge elevated and the Beach Bridge strengthened.
Mark Irvine, chairman of the Stonehaven Flood Action Group, said: “We’re absolutely delighted, it’s been a long time coming.
“We have gone through two severe floods in the past two years so the sooner we get this up and running the better.
“It’s something that’s really important for the town.”