Council approves plan to stabilise Bervie Braes in Stonehaven
Proposed measures to stabilise a crumbling cliff face and prevent future landslips have been approved by councillors.
The aftermath of the landslide that hit several houses below the Braes in October 2009.
- By Graeme Strachan
- Published in the Courier : 03.03.11
- Published online : 03.03.11 @ 09.49am
Members of the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee unanimously supported the installation of landslip prevention measures at the Bervie Braes above Stonehaven through the use of "soil-nailing" and "rockfill" techniques.
The application for full planning permission had been submitted by Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure services section, using information provided by engineering experts.
The budget for the project to stabilise the Braes is £3 million, of which £2 million has been pledged by the Scottish Government and the remainder by Aberdeenshire Council.
The engineering works aim to stabilise the ground on the slope to prevent future landslips, mainly through the use of long nails inserted into the slope at an angle and drainage improvements.
Nailing
Once the nailing process has been completed, landscaping measures would be put in place to return the Braes to their previous appearance as far as possible.
The committee heard the planning application had received no objections, and that landowners the Dewars Trust had written in support of the proposals.
Some vegetation clearance has already taken place to allow the site to be cleared before the start of the nesting season, under permitted policies.
The Braes lie within the Stonehaven Conservation Area and it was accepted that there would be some short-term visual impact on the site while the works take place.
No start date has yet been set for the works and a report will now come before Aberdeenshire Council's policy and resources committee to discuss the next steps in the project.
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