Quarrying and Mining

Hydrogeological and flood risk assessments unlock planning permission for a Scottish quarry

AnonymousMoray, Scotland

Service

Flood Risk Management and Drainage
Planning Support

Capabilities

Data Collection and Analysis
Drainage Strategy
Flood Risk Assessment
Hydrogeological Impact Assessment (HIA)

A Moray-based aggregate supplier needed planning permission to extend and deepen its quarry, in a hydrogeological environment that wasn’t well understood and against a tight application timescale. We delivered the hydrogeological and flood risk assessments needed to demonstrate no adverse impact on the water environment, securing full planning permission with minimal water-related conditions.

Challenge

The site sat within a hydrogeological environment that was not well understood, creating uncertainty around potential impacts on the water environment. Our client was also working to a tight planning application timescale and required the necessary hydrogeological and hydrological assessments to be completed urgently. Without the delivery of a robust evidence-base, our client faced a significant delay or refusal of the planning application needed to extend the quarry’s operational life.

Approach

We conducted a comprehensive review of existing data on potential receptors, providing expert advice on the locations and construction of the piezometers. The data was essential for the development of a Hydrogeological Impact Assessment (HIA) report and an estimation of the required dewatering rate, which also informed the Flood Risk Assessment (FRA). An FRA was undertaken in accordance with SEPA and Moray Council guidance, which informed the drainage design to ensure there would be no increase in flood risk during operations or following development.

Outcome

We delivered the detailed hydrogeological and hydrological assessments required to support the planning application in line with the client’s timescale. Through our robust evidence base and detailed regulatory negotiation, the regulators had confidence in the predicted impacts and proposed mitigation measures. Full planning permission was subsequently granted for the quarry extension within nine months of client instruction, with minimal planning conditions relating to the water environment.