A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build hundreds of houses on a "functional flood plain" near Alva is set to be thrown out this week.

Proposals to construct 244 houses to the west of the town are being recommended for refusal when Clackmannanshire Council's Planning Committee meets on Thursday, May 4.

Councillors will be asked to oppose the Allan Water Homes move, which also attracted widespread objections from residents.

A report to be laid in front of representatives said that it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that the development would not be at risk from flooding or that existing houses would not be at greater risk.

There is also an outstanding objection from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and should permission be granted, the Scottish Ministers may call the plans in for final determination.

Other reasons to refuse the application relate to the proposals not being in accord with countryside development and green belt policies.

The plans are for 244 detached, semi-detached and terraced houses on a 20.69-hectare site adjacent to the existing western edge of Alva – not within the current settlement boundary and on arable land identified as countryside.

Th application also proposes a roundabout on the A91, along with plans for a pedestrian crossing and bus stops.

Allan Water had previously submitted a similar application for 275 houses, which was withdrawn to resolve established flooding concerns.

In the current application, the developer made a bid for an opportunity to “deliver a new neighbourhood on the western edge of Alva, to improve and enhance the boundary between settlement and green belt and to provide new homes [which are] traditional, legible, permeable and attractive”.

Council papers said: “Principally, SEPA do not accept, and consequently object to, built development on a functional flood plain.

“SEPA also note that the methodology adopted for the flood risk assessments accompanying the application does not calculate and identify the extent of the flood plain.

“In response to the proposal that the proposed development, and adjoining existing residential development, would be satisfactorily safeguarded from flooding by the existing tracks at the west side of the application site, SEPA advise that this is not accepted.”

The plans have drawn 53 objections from residents along with six general comments and two letters of support.

Alva Community Council raised concerns over flooding, drainage, impact on education services, access arrangements, traffic calming and road safety, impact on wildlife and loss of green belt space and more – reflecting on a variety of issues raised generally by residents.

Ultimately, flood mitigation plans from the applicant include daylighting an existing underground water channel, but it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that this would safeguard the development or neighbouring ones.

The plans are available under 22/00187/FULL on the council's planning portal.