'Sustainable' flood defences call

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Thousands of homes could be spared flooding misery if a more sustainable approach to the problem is taken, nature campaigners have said.

RSPB Scotland wants ministers to move away from traditional flood defences, such as floodwalls and embankments.

The charity claims these merely move water downstream faster, creating flood problems elsewhere.

It wants "soft engineering" techniques, such as letting natural flood plains flood for the land to soak up water.

The call comes ahead of a major flood summit in Perth on Monday to discuss the Scottish Government's commitment to a new Flooding Bill.

Consultation is to be held on how to fund small-scale defences locally, improve flood risk information and ensure that management plans are produced for all high-risk areas.

RSPB Scotland said devastating floods in June and July in north and south west England and in winter last year in the Highlands, Perthshire and Fife made it clear that a new approach to flood management in Scotland was needed.

This opportunity must not be missed Stuart HousdenRSPB Scotland

Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "For too long our approach to flooding has been based on short-term, short-sighted solutions.

"Thousands of homes and businesses in Scotland will be spared the misery of flooding if rivers are allowed to flood naturally into their flood plains, and catchments are returned into a more natural state.

"Scotland has an unprecedented opportunity, with a government committed to new flooding legislation to deliver benefits for the economy as well as the environment, contributing to a more sustainable Scotland."

Mr Housden said a new approach could also improve biodiversity for birds, creating wetlands "hot-spots".

"This opportunity must not be missed," he added.

Primary responsibility for flooding lies with individual landowners, but in built-up areas local authorities have powers to address flood risk.