Almondbank flood defences costing an estimated £9.6 million are now a step closer as the Scottish Government has given the scheme the green light.
Perth and Kinross Council aims to build flood defences from the College Mill trout farm to the edge of Pitcairnfield Industrial Estate, and from the bowling green to Low’s Work Cottages.
Flood defences are also set to be built on both banks of the East Pow Burn from the A85 bridge at Lochty to the confluence with the River Almond.
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “Deemed planning consent for the scheme was granted earlier this month by Scottish ministers. The council has also submitted a bid for grant assistance to the Scottish Government.”
Almondbank suffered flooding from the Almond and East Pow Burn in 1993, 1999 and 2011. The 1993 floods were considered to be the worst, with the Black Bridge over the Almond being washed away.
Residents then had to endure further flooding in 1999, when torrential rain resulted in several inches of mud and water lying on the playing field in Almondbank.
Debris was scattered all the way to the former Defence Aviation Repair Agency site and the Black Bridge was closed.
The proposed £9m flood defence scheme will need three bridges, an adjacent road and footpath levels to be raised and a flood storage area will be created on the playing field adjacent to Main Street, Almondbank.
In addition, it will include a reinforced concrete wall, a sheet pile wall, erosion protection and a kerb drainage system.
The move follows consultations with residents of Almondbank, Lochty and Huntingtowerfield during public exhibitions in June 2011 and back in 2008.
Following the latter exhibition, an extensive review of the scheme was carried out and a revised outline design was developed.
“This revamped scheme was put out to public consultation in June and July 2011 and received general approval.
The next stage in the process was when Perth and Kinross Council’s environment committee agreed to move forward with the proposal in September 2011.
Work was then delayed during 2012 due to a series of floods in other areas of Perth and Kinross but the local authority was keen to progress with the scheme through possible additional funding from the Scottish Government.
Schemes that meet the Scottish Government’s criteria can receive grant funding of up to 80% of eligible capital costs.
A report prepared by the local authority found that there would be no “significant” adverse effects on the River Tay special area of conservation as a result of the scheme.
Perth and Kinross Council environment convener Alan Grant welcomed the progress of the project, adding: “This scheme will be very helpful for local people and the industrial area there.”