The council has kicked out an objection from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency which would have stopped a hotel development close to Kirkwall Harbour. The Ayre Hotel had applied for permission to build a three storey annex on Burnmouth Road opposite its main building. However, SEPA had objected because of concerns about potential flooding highlighted in its flood risk map which suggests that large swathes of Kirkwall could be in danger if an exceptional sea surge occurred - whats described as the once in 200 years storm. It wants suitable flood defences built along the harbour front. The frustration of councillors was evident at yesterdays planning meeting when vice chairman Owen Tierney described the flooding warnings as poppycock and said that SEPA were asking the council to sit and do nothing for the next 50 years. The authority approved the application in spite of SEPAs objection and will now wait and see if the case is called in by the Scottish Government
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 08:04:13 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015