There are just a few weeks left for residents in Argyll and Bute to give their views in a national consultation to help shape how we protect homes and businesses in Scotland from the risk of flooding.
There are currently 284,000 homes, businesses, and services at flood risk in Scotland and climate change is projected to increase this number by an estimated 110,000 by the 2080s.
SEPA launched the joint consultation with local authorities, to help shape the direction and delivery of flood risk management across the country.
To do this, Scotland has been split into 14 Local Plan Districts, with a Flood Risk Management Plan for each area. The plans explain what causes flooding in high-risk areas as well as the potential impacts when flooding does occur to your home and business.
Argyll and Bute is covered within two local plan districts
- Plan 1. Highland and Argyll – covers from Oban to Campbeltown and across to Inveraray including the east of Loch Fyne.
- Plan 11. Clyde and Loch Lomond – covers the areas including Lomond, Bute and Cowal.
Councillor Rory Colville, Policy Lead for Roads and Infrastructure Services:
“One of Argyll and Bute’s greatest attractions is its 4000 km of coastline. However, with climate change our coastline could also present a great challenge for the area. The council is already working hard to progress flood protection schemes and studies in a number of our towns, and we have asked for input from residents and business owners. This is a chance to have an input as part of the national plan.”
To take this opportunity to contribute to how flood risk is managed for your area, please go to: Flood Risk Management Plans and Local Flood Risk Management Plans - Scottish Environment Protection Agency - Citizen Space (sepa.org.uk)
Note to editors
The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 (FRM Act) introduced a co-ordinated partnership approach to how we tackle flood risk in Scotland sustainably. SEPA, Responsible Authorities and Scottish Government have been working closely, building on current evidence and understanding, to improve knowledge and explore sustainable ways to protect communities. It has involved assessing whole catchments and coastlines and examining all sources of flooding. This approach ensures targeted and effective flood risk management decisions across Scotland.
In 2015, for each Local Plan District, SEPA published a Flood Risk Management Plan, previously called Flood Risk Management Strategies, which identified Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) and set out actions for targeted areas to address flood risk while delivering other benefits. Together these 14 Flood Risk Management Plans have provided a national plan for Scotland.
In 2016, the Lead Local Authority for each Local Plan District produced a Local Flood Risk Management Plan which turned the Flood Risk Management Plans into a local delivery plan. These provided a summary of local objectives and actions to manage flood risk. The interlinkage between these plans required a joint public consultation on the plans.
Consultation Phased Approach
The Flood Risk Management Plans and Local Flood Risk Management Plans are now in the process of being updated using information gained since 2016. SEPA is hosting the joint consultation on these draft updates to gain your views. All consultation responses related to the Local Flood Risk Management Plans will be communicated by SEPA to the Lead Local Authorities.