New planning recruit helps watchdog target flood prevention

Environmental regulator the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has boosted its efforts on flood prevention with the appointment of a new planning officer.

SEPA has recruited Emma McCarron from its English counterpart the Environment Agency to join a front-line staff of 19 people.

SEPA unit manager for planning Jim Mackay told Planning: “We deal with avoiding flood risk, waste management and protecting sensitive environmental receptors such as water courses and ground water.

“However, flood risk is the one that is taking up a lot of our resources. SEPA is solutions oriented so it's not good enough to be brilliant planners: people like Emma must have good people skills.”

McCarron will co-ordinate and lead SEPA's response to planning application consultations and help provide input to development plan and strategic environmental assessment engagement.

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