A planning application has been submitted for the second phase of a major £8 million Scottish Water project designed to safeguard the historic Fife village of Pittenweem from flooding.

Subject to securing the necessary approvals, the new phase of work will focus on the West Shore. Plans include the installation of a new powered screen on an existing storm overflow and the replacement of the current sea outfall with a larger, buried pipe.

This work follows the successful completion of similar flood mitigation efforts on the East Shore earlier this year, which involved the construction of a new sea outfall, upgraded pipework, and a new screened overflow chamber.

Scottish Water Alliance Team Manager Steven Greenhill confirmed the challenges of the second phase: "The West Shore is even more exposed to changeable weather and sea conditions than the East Shore. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption although some timings will be weather dependent, particularly when it is also dictated by waves and the tide."

-- Advertisement --

He acknowledged the community's role in shaping the project and stated the team looks forward to collaborating with them again throughout the delivery of the second phase.

A key element of the construction will be the preservation of the area's heritage. To install the new outfall pipe—which will extend below the Mean Low Water Spring tide level—part of the existing sea wall will be dismantled block by block. Crucially, each block will be numbered upon removal and then reinstated to its exact original location to ensure the structure's historical integrity is maintained.

The project is being delivered by Scottish Water's alliance partner, the Caledonia Water Alliance, which also successfully executed the East Shore phase.

Communications Manager Clive Duncan emphasised the long-term benefits of the scheme: "We have built a fantastic relationship with the community who recognise the benefits to the village the work will bring. Pittenweem has been prone to flooding for many years so this project once completed will make a significant difference and deliver peace of mind for many years to come."