Caravan Park flood plan approved but met with resistance from enironmentalists
A flood defence scheme proposed for a north-east caravan park has been met with opposition from environmental experts despite gaining approval from local authorities.
Wood Leisure-owned Deeside Holiday Park in Maryculter, Aberdeenshire, which is situated alongside the River Dee requested a defence wall to be built around the park’s perimeter following on from flood devastation caused by Storm Frank in December last year. Permission was granted by Aberdeenshire Council’s Kincardine and Mearns area committee to go ahead with the plans earlier this week.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), however, has ruled against plans approved, stating that the work proposed may have a knock-on effect elsewhere along the Dee, with possible implications including a “loss of floodplain capacity of around 5 per cent”, placing neighbouring properties at “increased risk”.
Managing partner of Wood Leisure said of those in opposition of the plans: “Obviously we are delighted to have the support of the councillors, it’s fantastic they listened to our case and voted in favour of our right to protect the park.
“But we are fully aware that the Scottish Government could still call it in and we could have another hurdle to overcome.
“It’s vital for safeguarding the future of the park and the customers that are on it, it’s all about making sure that we are able to safely evacuate them if we need to.”
What do you think about those opposed to building a flood defence barrier around Deeside Holiday Park? Let us know in the comments section below.
