Councillors approve preferred flood protection options for Kemnay and Kintore
Aberdeenshire councillors have approved preferred options for future flood protection schemes in Kemnay and Kintore, marking a major step forward in efforts to safeguard both communities from the growing impacts of flooding.
The decision by the Infrastructure Services Committee follows the completion of detailed flood protection studies for each area and clears the way for Aberdeenshire Council to seek Scottish Government funding through the national prioritisation process.
The Kemnay and Kintore flood studies will join the other flood studies awaiting funding from the Scottish Government, which are located in Inverurie and Port Elphinstone, Ballater, Stonehaven Coastal and the Stonehaven Farrochie Burn.
Kemnay has experienced repeated flooding from the River Don, most notably in 2016 and 2020, with around 260 residents and 130 homes and businesses remaining at risk. The council commissioned study assessed local flood behaviour, tested potential defence solutions and evaluated costs and benefits in accordance with the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act.
Without intervention, future flood events could lead to an estimated £3 million in damages to homes, businesses, roads, utilities and key community facilities.
The preferred approach for Kemnay includes construction of an embankment at Kembhill Park to improve protection from the River Don and installation of a sustainable drainage system (SUDS) basin at Milton Meadows to address residual surface water pooling behind the existing bund.
Councillors heard the Kembhill works would provide protection up to a 1 in 200 year flood event, safeguarding up to 55 properties, while the SUD basin would increase resilience at Milton Meadows, offering protection up to a 1 in 100 year flood event (plus climate change allowances), protecting up to nine properties. Together, the options carry an estimated cost of £1.88 million.
Kintore faces very similar flood risks from both the River Don and the watercourses which run through the town, including the Tuach Burn, Torry Burn and Loch Burn. Significant recent events include Storm Frank in 2016 and flooding in November 2022.
Around 370 residents and 200 properties are currently at risk – a number expected to rise to 440 residents and 240 properties by the 2080s as a result of climate change.
Councillors were advised that without action, projected damages could exceed £3 million.
From 12 potential solutions, councillors and the community favoured the option of creating an upstream storage area on the Sheriff Burn, south of the A96 which will protect up to 28 properties and provide resilience up to a 1 in 100 year event.
The second favoured option would see the installation of direct defences, including flood walls, at and near Macallan Road on the Torry Burn. This will protect up to 21 properties and provide resilience up to a 1 in 100 year event. The combined costs are estimated to be in the region of £1 million.
Philip McKay, Head of the council’s Roads and Infrastructure Services, said: “With preferred options for both communities now agreed, we can progress the proposals through the Scottish Government’s funding prioritisation process. If successful, the programme would deliver long-term protection for homes, businesses, transport links and vital infrastructure, reducing disruption, lowering recovery costs and improving the wellbeing and security of residents.”