Scotland approves Loch Rannoch Hotel’s four-storey expansion despite SEPA’s flood risk objections, triggering ministerial review and public concerns.A major redevelopment at Loch Rannoch has been given the go-ahead, with plans approved for a four-storey block of holiday apartments at the Loch Rannoch Hotel. However, the decision has not been without controversy, as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) raised significant concerns about potential flooding risks.
Despite these objections, Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) voted unanimously to approve the project, following a recommendation by planning officers.However, due to SEPA’s statutory objection regarding flood risk, the decision must now be referred to Scottish Ministers, who will determine whether or not to call in the application for further scrutiny. This additional step in the process is triggered when a statutory consultee raises concerns that could impact the safety or feasibility of a proposed development.
Flood Risk and SEPA’s ObjectionSEPA’s objection centered on flood risk modeling related to a culverted watercourse located to the northwest of the proposed site. The agency expressed reservations about whether the hydrological assessments accurately reflected the potential threat of flooding in the area. While SEPA insisted on further investigation, PKC’s own Flood Risk Management team took a different stance.
The council’s flood experts did not formally object to the development but did .