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News Release, 8 April 2025
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Scottish Ministers confirm Falkirk Council will hold hearing to progress the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme
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Scottish Ministers have confirmed they will not be ‘calling-in’ the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme for consideration.
Falkirk Council will now hold a hearing to consider the issues raised in objections.
The decision from Scottish Ministers follows the preliminary decision by Falkirk Council’s Executive Committee to confirm the Scheme in January 2025.
The council will now appoint an independent reporter to conduct the hearing and issue a final report.
The aim of the hearing is to give objectors an opportunity to be heard, and to provide the reporter with all the information necessary for a report, but in a more flexible and less formal setting than at a Public Local Inquiry (PLI).
Once the hearing has been held and a report submitted to the council by the reporter, it will then be presented to the appropriate Committee of the council for consideration. This process will allow a final decision on the Scheme to be made.
Council Leader, Cecil Meiklejohn, said: “We are pleased to announce that the Scottish Ministers have entrusted the council with the final decision on the Scheme, reflecting their confidence in our ability to make the best choice for our communities.
This marks a significant and positive step forward for the communities of Grangemouth, Wholeflats, Glensburgh, Langlees, Carron, Carronshore, and Stirling Road in Camelon.”
Anyone who requires further information can contact the GFPS team at grangemouthfps@falkirk.gov.uk.
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Notes to editors:
As the largest flood defence project in Scotland and one of the biggest in the United Kingdom, the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme was identified as the highest national priority given the potentially significant impacts for the community if an extreme flood event were to occur. While other parts of Scotland have been affected by flooding over the last five years, the Grangemouth area has fortunately avoided significant flooding. However, the town and surrounding communities are at risk of fluvial and coastal flooding impacts.
On completion, the scheme will protect 6,025 people, 2,760 homes, 1,200 non-residential property and road and rail infrastructure. It will also provide 28km (17 miles) of flood defence walls, embankments, the installation of flood gates, flow regulation measures and drainage work. The scheme will also include works at the entrance to the Port of Grangemouth and within the petrochemical complex.
​​Further information is available on www.grangemouthfloodscheme.com. Follow GFPS on X, Facebook and YouTube @grangemouthfps.
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