The next steps for a proposed scheme intended to reduce flood risk for up to 3,200 homes in the Musselburgh area will be considered by councillors next week.
A report being presented to a full meeting of East Lothian Council on Tuesday sets out the history of flooding in Musselburgh, which is projected to become larger due to the impacts of climate change. It explains the steps that have been taken to engage with the local community and develop a proposed Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme.
An outline design, focused on reducing flood risk using established and evidence-based techniques while retaining the town’s historic character and natural environment, was approved by councillors at a meeting in January 2024. The outline design has been shaped and developed over a period of many years and has incorporated community feedback obtained through extensive engagement carried out in the local area.
At the January 2024 meeting, councillors also agreed that the design could be presented to stakeholders and the public through a formal, statutory consultation process, which has since taken place. The scheme has been progressed in line with the requirements of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.
Tuesday’s meeting – which will be held on in the Council Chamber, Haddington Town House, with a 10am start – will see councillors consider a number of recommendations from officers, including:
- Confirming that all valid objections (unless withdrawn), together with other relevant matters, have been considered
- Making a preliminary decision to confirm the proposed flood protection scheme without modifications, which must then be notified to Scottish Ministers
- Agreeing that the project team, working in consultation with the planning authority, seeks to deliver 52 proposed changes to the flood protection scheme.
The report notes that, should Ministers decide to consider the scheme, they would arrange for a public local inquiry to be held with Ministers to then make a final decision following its conclusion. Should Ministers decide not to consider the scheme, the matter would be referred back to the council, which must hold a local hearing before making a final decision.
The report can be found on the council website.
As seating is limited inside the chamber, interested members of the public may wish to consider watching the meeting online via the council’s live webcast.
Techniques
The scheme will use many techniques working together to achieve a major reduction in the flood risk in the town, and thus stop flood waters spilling onto the natural flood plains on which Musselburgh was built over many centuries. These include:
- Sustainable flood risk management through the modification of two existing reservoirs in the South Esk catchments;
- Sustainable flood risk management through replacement of four existing bridges in the town with new structures that won’t impede the onwards flow of water and flood debris;
- Catchment flood risk management through the provision of a new large debris catcher located upstream of the town;
- River restoration works along the River Esk corridor in the town;
- A strategy for future Natural Flood Management in the upstream River Esk catchment.
- Maximum deliverable nature-based solutions at all locations where interventions are to be undertaken.
- A network of new drainage and pumping stations within the town;
- Engineering works on the Pinkie Burn to achieve management of flood waters on this small burn that flows through the town;
- Modifications to the historic Musselburgh Mill Lade to achieve flow control;
- New physical defences along the River Esk Corridor;
- New physical defences along the Coastal Foreshore;
- Sustainable flood risk management through the modification of the historic Fisherrow Harbour to allow it to become incorporated into the coastal defences.
A flood protection scheme is approved on an outline design. The detail design is yet to be developed. Previous cost estimates remain within the council’s approved capital budget, and the overall affordability of this will be subject to detailed procurement. The scheme remains a project identified within Cycle 1 of the National Flood Protection Scheme Programme, and as such aligned to the national funding criteria, the Scottish Government will provide 80% of the eligible cost of the scheme.