A public hearing will be held in Huntly today to discuss £2.9million flooding protection plans.
The proposals were drawn up to reduce risk of flooding in the Meadows area of the town, which has been badly affected in the past.
The plans have been designed to protect residential, agricultural, community and businesses along the river and Ittingston and Meadow burns.
But today, a Scottish Government reporter will hear concerns from two landowners who have objected to the scheme.
The project includes raising and strengthening existing defences on the river between the Bridge of Gibston and the Hill of Haugh, building culverts and creating storage for flood water by constricting the flow in the Meadow Burn.
But the objectors have concerns about the impact the scheme will have on arable fields, as well as the potential flood risk to land and property upstream of the works.
Aberdeenshire Council believes the wider benefits of the scheme, which was approved by councillors in 2012, outweigh their concerns and are keen to push on.
However, today’s hearing – which will be held at the Gordon Arms, Huntly from 10am – must be held first to enable the council to secure entry to the land required for the scheme.
Residents of Huntly have frequently been flooded out of their homes in recent years, and are now always on the alert when the rain starts to pour.
The worst most recent incident was in November 2009, when a month’s worth of rain fell in 24 hours.
At the Meadows Care Home, 40 residents were evacuated – including eight-bed bound people who were carried to ambulances and taken to hospital. Police and coastguard teams also helped pluck stranded people from houses.
Eleven fire crews were called to the town, where water was as deep as 5ft on some streets.