PROPOSALS for a major housing development in Alva will be sent to the Scottish Ministers due to flood-risk objections from SEPA.

Around 100 houses at the former Barryfield Works and Ochilvale Mill site, just off the town’s main A91 road on the eastern edge, could be built on the once industrial grounds by Allan Water Developments.

And while extra analysis and feasibility studies had been carried out in line with the methodology of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) alongside an energy statement, the organisation would not budge and still objects to the development due to a one-in 200-year flood risk.

Elected members of last Thursday’s, November 8, Planning Committee were minded to approve the plans with a number of conditions at Clackmannanshire Council after lengthy debates.

The application must now be sent to the Scottish Ministers, who may call it in to have the final say.

Developers originally looked to build 104 houses, later reduced to 95 detached and semi-detached, two-storey properties.

The paper tabled in the chamber on the day said: “The proposals include ensuring all houses are built at a level above the one-in-200-year fluvial flood risk level and provision of compensatory flood storage, demonstrating in flood risk outside the site and betterment to areas of the adjoining industrial estate.

“SEPA have however maintained their objection on flood risk grounds.

“They have stated that the appropriate methodology and assessment has been undertaken but that due the proposals involving development (and land raising) within the functional floodplain, they continue to object and consider the proposal to be contrary to the Scottish Planning Policy in this regard.”

According to council papers, a “small proportion” of the site lies within the floodplain where a burn could burst its banks.

Flood consultants identified a range of measures to deal with this in three parts of the site including a sustainable drainage system with a pond and compensatory floodplain storage, earthworks and a swale.

Other concerns over the development related to traffic, councillors arguing there is a problem with the speed of traffic in town as well as the volume of vehicles on the A91 at peak times, roads officers arguing layout and access arrangements are acceptable in principle.

The development will also be subject to a legal agreement the developers would contribute £200,000 towards affordable housing in the Wee County.

Council papers put this figure to £250,000, officers highlighting that was a typo made in error.