We have recently completed two projects aiming to manage flooding and coastal erosion. The Dunfermline Flood Prevention Scheme is a major engineering project that will reduce the risk of flooding at vulnerable locations in the southwest of Dunfermline, and the Kirkcaldy Sea Wall protects against coastal erosion.
SEPA is working closely with the Scottish Government, local authorities and Scottish Water to implement a new approach to managing flood risk in Scotland. It will help to target resources in areas where they can have the greatest impact. Further information on Flood Risk Management Planning is available on SEPA’s dedicated FRM website.
SEPA's “Report-a-Flood” website also has lots of good information for areas across Scotland. It has been designed for the public to share information on where flooding occurs. It is important to note that the information is not fact-checked. It's designed so that the public can get involved and report from their area.
Sustainable Drainage Systems and Flood Risk Assessment Guidance
We have produced a guidance document for developers to follow before submitting a Planning Application. All sections must be completed, signed, and submitted at the time of application. These completed documents will be required as part of the supporting documents. If developers don't do this, the application is incomplete and this will delay the Planning process.
Recently, Structural Services and Planning Services have worked together to revise the flooding guidance (v3 draft) and related planning consultation process. The main change relates to Local applications which will now require SuDS and FRAs to be checked by an external organisation (as opposed to a different consultant within the same organisation). This change is designed to streamline our processes, improve efficiency, and better allocate our resources, ultimately enhancing our ability to determine planning applications timeously.
Copies of v2.1 and v3 (draft) can be found in the related publications sections below. v3 will be implemented in due course.
Flood Pods
Fife Council is providing a helping hand to communities that have been devastated by flooding by installing 42 new flood ‘pods’ close to affected properties.
Flood pods are black steel containers similar to grit bins which are full of flood sacks, a new type of lightweight ‘sandbag’, which can protect your home from flood water and which are easily disposed of once the flooding event has occurred.
Flood pods are located on pavements or on council land. They are locked with a combination padlock, accessible to affected properties in each local area and a nominated community council member. PIN codes were issued on a card at the bottom of the Flood Pod booklets that were given to the nominated community council members when the flood pods were put in position.
The Flood Pod Leaflet tells you how to use your flood pod, along with some other useful guidance on how to protect your property in a flooding emergency.
