A flood protection scheme for Huntly in Aberdeenshire has moved a step closer following recommendation from a Scottish Government Reporter to progress without modification.

The news follows a public hearing in the town in February, which provided an opportunity for the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) to consider objections to the scheme.

Four objections were raised; two of which were resolved but the remainder of which were left outstanding.

Aberdeenshire Council had already taken a preliminary decision to support the project last year despite the objections, however.

The project is aimed at reducing future flood risk in the Meadows area of the town, which has been affected by flooding in the past. Design work has been progressing on the £2.9m project since councillors gave the go-ahead in April 2011.

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Held on February 18, the hearing investigated:

• The need for a scheme and the general principles of the scheme

• The effects of the scheme on agricultural land

• Scope for mitigation

• Matters of access during and after construction

• Specific issues

Aberdeenshire Council’s Head of Roads and Landscape Services, Philip McKay, 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 May.

"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 will reduce the risk of flooding to residential, agricultural, community and business properties along the River Deveron, the Ittingston Burn and the Meadow Burn.

It comprises a number of individual projects, including creating storage for flood water to the west of the Meadows estate by constricting the flow in the Meadow Burn.

Existing defences on the River Deveron between the Bridge of Gibston and the Hill of Haugh will also be fortified.

Councillors previously agreed the Council should promote a formal Flood Protection Scheme for the town.

The Flood Protection Scheme (formal order) was promoted under the terms of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.

(IT/CD)