Did you know that the EIA report states that 'Downstream watercourses are at potential risk of flooding and any changes to the hydrological environmental (typo in the report) that results in additional flow could exacerbate the likelihood of flooding'? Also that ‘All the catchments within the Proposed Development discharge into the River Annan. Downstream of the site boundary the River Annan has extensive areas at a high risk of flooding encompassing road and rail networks, residential areas and farmland around the towns of Lockerbie and Lochmaben’? You might not live or work in these areas, but if you use the train (going north or south) or local roads, your journey could be disrupted for long periods in times of heavy rain...
Spare a thought also for those in Lockerbie and Lochmaben, as it is the primary responsibility of a property owner to provide its own flood protection (at its own cost), even if the problem is attributed to development elsewhere.
But there'll be flood prevention measures put in place right? The EIA report only goes so far as to say it is 'envisaged' that the potential risk of increased flooding can be effectively mitigated. Not a word a property owner wants to hear... In all likelihood, with a development of this scale, there will be some changes to the hydrological environment, so in return for wind turbines we are put at greater risk of flood events...
I would agree, Moffat has already had some £750K , from wind farms spread across at least 40 groups, so maybe now is the time to focus on the vital few. e. g. one community used their money to build housing for local people for example.
Why not use the carrots from the wind farms to help rather than going to superficial projects?
If we have a current problem , or a potential problem using flooding as the example , take Moffat as the example , D&G commissioned a flood study couple of years ago now , but more costed work required , but a guesstimate was some £2M to totally ( maybe ) prevent flooding in Moffat , at that time D&G had no money , and even if they did it would not pass the cost to benefit of 1 to 8 , meaning spend £1 to save £8. wonder how much money they have now , So assuming there was to be major development , then part of that would the flood prevention scheme .
What’s wae aw the lawyer spiel, can you put it in dribble we can understand? Jeez!
Fully accepted and a very gracious response.
very often a negative given the opportunity can be turned into a positive , but this means engagement , when the time is right.
Perhaps the applicant should have put more effort into identifying mitigation and control measures and then it wouldn't be an issue? I would not have raised it if this were the case. The use of the word 'envisaged' indicates a lack of commitment - in policy and consultancy documents is a means of protecting PI - it's used where there is doubt.
I'd like to say I follow your thinking that the proposal, as submitted, is an opportunity for those impacted by flooding where this development could exacerbate the risk, but I can't see what they will get out of it. Stress, financial burdens, loss of livelihood, property issues (maintenance costs and devaluation of property)... ? For the record, I am not a wind farm objector, but proposals must constitute sustainable development and if they do not...
With every potential problem comes an opportunity , should there be any flood risks as we speak , then a developer can be persuaded to put things right as part of the development. SEPA and D&G council must have a view on this.
Surely they would take into account the high water mark, bridges ain’t cheap! Think Wamphray and district would be the only ones at risk, the big flood of 76 got near, washed away the railway and flooded Cass Littles farm but that was a once in 100 year flood!
True, but I am simply quoting their report... Also, if a temporary bridge is put across the river at the old quarry near Wamphray for the purpose of getting abnormal loads onto the site, the flood risk there is, by their own admission, further increased.
Not very sure how Lochmaben would be effected but Wamphray certainly would!