THE battle against the threat of flooding in Fettercairn is "the furthest forward it has ever been" following the recent meetings in the village, according to community councillor Alan Mowat.
Mr Mowat reported to Mearns Community Council on the meetings, already fully reported in this newspaper.
He said that a December meeting articulated the frustration felt in Fettercairn and demanded dredging of the Cauldcotts Burn and the setting
up of a scheme to divert water down the Black Burn.
A follow-up meeting two weeks ago was attended by Aberdeenshire's flood prevention officer and others.
Mr Mowat said: "Significantly a representative of SEPA said he could see no problem with the clearing out of a section of the burn (a stretch downstream of the arch for 150m).
"They also have a plan to create an overspill area into the field by the distillery which would take away a significant portion of the flood risk.
"They have only just started looking at a diversion into the Black Burn but they are taking it very seriously. Farmers have expressed objections to this so there is a bit of work to be done.
"They have promised to look at the culvert under the middle of the village with cameras to see what work needs to be done.
"They also want to set up an emergency response team in the event of flooding with sandbags etc stored in the village.
"I feel we are the furthest forward we have ever been and I think there is a way forward."
Mr Mowat said the flood storage area might take 1-3 years to implement and a Black Burn diversion plan 3-10 years.
Chairman David Nelson praised the efforts of the local action group, saying they had done a good job in getting things moving.
