Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme - HRA Engagement
Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme (GFPS)
Falkirk Council is promoting the GFPS under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 and the Flood Risk Management (Flood Protection Schemes, Potentially Vulnerable Areas and Local Plan Districts) (Scotland) Regulations 2010.
Habitats Regulation Appraisal (HRA)
As part of the process to reach a Final Decision on the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme (GFPS), Falkirk Council must, under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (referred to as the Habitats Regulations), carry out an assessment to understand whether the Scheme will, or will be likely to have, any adverse effects on certain sites and species that are given additional protections under law. These sites are known as “Special Protection Areas” or “SPAs” (which are designated for certain bird species) and “Special Areas of Conservation” or “SACs” (which are designated for other protected flora and fauna). This process is referred to as a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA). As part of this process, Falkirk Council is seeking feedback from the public on the HRA carried out to date to inform its final decision. The Scheme has prepared an HRA report (attached) which will be used to inform the final assessment, and Falkirk Council are asking a few survey questions on this report. This will help the Council progress to the final decision on the Scheme. Falkirk Council are also consulting separately with NatureScot on this process.
If you have any questions about this engagement, or if you would prefer to provide your feedback in an alternative format, please contact us at grangemouthfps@falkirk.gov.uk. If you would like a paper copy of this survey they are available at Falkirk and Grangemouth libraries.
Phases
Engagement and Survey
Why are we engaging?
Under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (the Habitats Regulations), Falkirk Council, as the decision-maker in respect of the Scheme, must ensure that an assessment of the likelihood of any significant effects from the Scheme on protected sites or species has been carried out and that provision for any compensatory measures has been secured for any adverse effects.
This survey focuses on the information prepared to support Falkirk Council’s assessment of impacts from the Scheme on certain protected sites under the HRA. The purpose of the survey is to seek public opinion on the findings of the assessment and the interim conclusions which have been reached. It focuses on:
- The Screening Conclusion, which refers to the decision by the Council on which protected sites and species to consider further in its assessment.
- The potential for any adverse effects from the Scheme on those protected sites and species, primarily on the Firth of Forth / Loch Leven Special Protected Area (SPA);
- The mitigation measures proposed; and
- The conclusion that an adverse impact on the site integrity of the Firth of Forth / Loch Leven SPA cannot be ruled out.
The opportunity to provide any other comments or feedback on the HRA is also provided.
We are asking for public opinion in parallel to a formal consultation with NatureScot. Consultation with NatureScot is a legal requirement under the Habitats Regulations as they are the relevant Statutory Nature Conservation Body (SNCB).
How will my feedback help?
The HRA report will not be amended further following this engagement. However, feedback from this survey, together with consultation responses received from NatureScot, will inform the final Appropriate Assessment prepared by the Council. Please note this engagement is for the HRA only and that any outcome of this engagement will not result in changes to the proposed scheme.