Proposals for new flood defences

Retrospective grants are available from the Scottish Government

More than a dozen new flood prevention schemes could be built in Perth and Kinross under proposals going before the council.

The local authority's infrastructure committee has been asked to approve plans for six areas which meet the criteria for government grants.

They are available where defences would work out cheaper than repairing damage.

Councillors have also been asked to investigate whether another seven places would qualify for the funding.

Perth and Kinross Council hoped to apply to the Scottish Government for money to pay for a total of 13 flood mitigation schemes.

However, defences have been ruled out for seven other locations which do not meet UK Treasury criteria.

KEY LOCATIONS Qualifies for funding: Birnam, Bankfoot, Scone, Greenloaning, Coupar Angus and Comrie More study needed: Dunkeld, Kinross, Aberfeldy, Logierait and Easthaugh of Ballyoukan, Altrory Burn and Middlehaugh of Dalshian in Pitlochry Schemes ruled out: Alyth, Burrelton, Barrel Drain in Scone, Inchyra, Longforgan, Invergowrie and Dalguise

Committee convener, Councillor John Kellas, said: "It must be remembered that although such schemes reduce the risk of flooding, they cannot guarantee that flooding will never re-occur in the future.

"Retrospective grant on such schemes is available from the Scottish Government.

"This normally includes the cost of employing consultants, preparing the design and supervising the construction.

"The work we have done so far will allow us to move forward if the finance becomes available."

He added: "We will also continue working to see whether flood mitigation schemes are justified in other locations around Perth and Kinross."