Funding for the Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme has taken a step forward after it was approved in principle by councillors.
Councillors approved funding, at a provisional estimate of £14-16 million, at a meeting of the policy and resources committee.
Officers were asked to pursue all possible funding opportunities from the Scottish Government.
Director of infrastructure services Stephen Archer advised the committee that officers were also in talks with Cosla which has been given responsibility for identifying areas of priority for funding from underspend in the current flooding allocation.
Councillor Hamish Vernal gave his support to working with the administration to make the council’s case as strong as possible. The committee noted how important it was to get the work done as soon as possible.
The preferred Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme was approved in principle by the infrastructure services committee in December last year.
Councillors heard the scheme could be confirmed early next year if the current rate of progress continues and if there are no objections to the legal flood order.
Were this the case, construction could begin by late next year, with a construction period of around 18 to 24 months.
Tenders have been sought for the next phase of work, to produce the detailed design, technical approvals and preparation of contract documentation.
The current estimate for this phase of works is £300,000.