The Highland Council has approved £150,000 to support a nature restoration project aimed at reducing flood risk and unlocking the full potential of Dingwall Business Park.
Led by Lockett Agri Environmental, the project is primarily funded by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund and focuses on the River Peffery, which runs alongside the Business Park.
The Council’s funding will complement these efforts, enhancing flood protection for current users and paving the way for future development opportunities.
Councillor Graham MacKenzie, Chair of the Council’s Communities and Place Committee, hailed the decision as a significant boost for Dingwall.
He remarked:
“This project is a game-changer for the Business Park, safeguarding it from flooding while delivering wider environmental benefits to the River Peffery.
“It’s exactly what Dingwall needs right now.”
The restoration work involves returning the River Peffery to a more natural flow, correcting the impact of decades of artificial straightening for agricultural and construction purposes.
By reconnecting the river to its floodplain, the project aims to reduce erosion along Business Park bunds, providing critical protection from flooding.
This initiative is part of a larger, catchment-wide programme designed to benefit the entire River Peffery corridor.
Key outcomes include enhanced biodiversity, carbon reduction, and decreased flooding, not just at the Business Park but downstream in Dingwall itself.
Measures such as peatland restoration, wet woodland creation, and small-scale flow attenuation will help slow and store floodwaters, mitigating regular annual flooding events.
While these natural solutions focus on smaller-scale flooding, a formal flood protection scheme may be developed in the future to address larger, less frequent events.
The Council’s Local Flood Risk Management Plan has already identified the River Peffery catchment as a priority area, with potential flood schemes to be considered when the next phase of the Scottish Government’s national programme is announced.
Any formal flood protection plans will be subject to community consultation, ensuring local voices are heard.
This forward-looking project promises to protect businesses, foster development, and deliver lasting environmental improvements for Dingwall and its surrounding areas.
