Elected Member Briefing Note 2026, No. 50
About this Briefing Note
Report by: Dr Rick Haynes, Flooding Manager
EMBN Number: 050-26
Date: 23 April 2026
Subject: South Kinross Flood Protection Scheme - Local Authority Hearing Outcome
Details
Purpose
To update members on the outcome of the Local Authority Hearing process for the South Kinross Flood Protection Scheme.
Briefing information
As part of the publication process for the South Kinross Flood Protection Scheme in March 2024, two valid objections to the scheme proposals were received by landowners. Although discussions between the Council and the landowners took place, no resolution could be found that would facilitate the withdrawal of either objection.
Following preliminary confirmation at Full Council Committee in December 2024 and the Scottish Minister's decision not to call the scheme in for consideration, a Local Authority Hearing was required in order to hear and satisfy both objections.
The Local Authority Hearing was chaired by an independent reporter provided by the DPEA section of the Scottish Government and was held over a three-day period (28 to 29 October 2025 and 3 February 2026). Representation was heard from both Objectors along with Council Officers and the Council's Consulting Engineers. Recordings of the hearing sessions and a copy of the Reporter's Recommendation Report can be found on the scheme's webpages.
After a period of deliberation, the Reporter provided his Recommendation Report on 12 March 2026 which recommended that the South Kinross Flood Protection Scheme be 'Confirmed without modification'.
The Council will now seek to confirm the scheme at Full Council Committee in September 2026 before progressing with detailed design, contractor procurement and construction with an anticipated completion date of mid-2028.
