Water Resources Management

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Structure Plan Chapter 3 - Caring for the Environment

3.9 - Water Resources Management

3.9.1: The EU Water Framework Directive is likely to lead to requirements for river catchment - based planning initiatives within the Structure Plan period. The Councils will support initiatives which take all relevant interests into account.
3.9.2: Extensive parts of Clackmannanshire and Stirling are areas of flood plain. Flooding is a natural phenomenon that plays an important role in shaping the environment. It cannot be entirely prevented and it needs to be taken into account when decisions about locating development are made. In accordance with NPPG 7 - "Planning and Flooding", the Councils will take a precautionary approach to flooding by avoiding new development on land at risk from flooding where possible. Only where the development cannot be sited in a less sensitive location will the risk of flooding be managed through the provision of mitigation measures.
3.9.3: The potential for flooding is greatest alongside the rivers Forth, Devon, Black Devon, Teith and Allan Water. Local Plans will give detailed attention to these areas when evaluating flood risk. The Key Diagram identifies in general terms areas with a known risk of flooding.
3.9.4: The River Forth estuary is an important strategic feature for reasons of ecology, landscape, recreation and flooding. This area is covered by the `Forth Integrated Management Strategy' which identifies key objectives and actions aimed at protecting and enhancing the estuary. The Councils recognise the strategic importance of this area and will not support development which may adversely affect its overall integrity.
3.9.5: Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS) can aid flood control in an environmentally acceptable manner and developers will be expected to adopt its principles in their proposals. In many instances SUDS offers the opportunity for ecological enhancement through new habitat creation, and in these cases, realisation of such opportunities through the development process will be required (see para 5.5.3).

Policy ENV9 - Water Resources Management

As a general principle the Councils will seek to secure the retention of remaining undeveloped flood plains, in the interests of floodwater retention, biodiversity, and amenity and in these areas development will not normally be permitted.
Development proposals in areas of known significant flood risk will not be permitted unless it can be demonstrated that no suitable alternative location exists, and if a flood risk assessment (prepared in consultation with SEPA) indicates that the risk can be satifactorily mitigated by works which will not lead to increased flood risk elsewhere, or unacceptable habitat loss.
Ecological approaches to surface water management (Sustainable Urban Drainage) will be sought in association with new development.
Flood protection and run-off attenuation works in association with development will be permitted only if long-term maintenance and management arrangements are in place.
The Councils will not support development that may adversely affect the ecological, landscape and flooding characteristics of the Forth Estuary unless it can be clearly demonstrated that the overall integrity of the area will not be damaged or that appropriate mitigation measures can be implemented.