Council chiefs are drawing up proposals to develop three new flood protection schemes.

The council’s cabinet has agreed to submit the three schemes to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) for the next stage of evaluation for potential funding.

This is one of the first steps required to be taken for the schemes to be considered.

North Ayrshire Council currently has two flood protection schemes at advanced stages – work is anticipated to get underway next year on the flood protection scheme in the Upper Garnock Valley and a Formal Scheme Notification will be submitted to the Scottish Government early next year for the Millport project which could see construction get underway during winter 2021/22.

The three new proposals being submitted to SEPA are:

· Lower Irvine Valley Flood Scheme, which would include flood walls and embankment.

· Upgrade of the Keppen Burn Culvert, Fairlie, to decrease the risk of flooding.

· Flood scheme works to reduce the risk to properties in Brodick and Lamlash on Arran.

David Hammond, Interim Head of Commercial Services at North Ayrshire Council, said: “These proposals are still at the very early stages.

“If they are successfully accepted by SEPA, it will allow us to develop more detailed proposals which would then be subject to comprehensive public consultation.

“This has worked very well with our two ongoing flood protection schemes in the Garnock Valley and Millport, where the local communities have had a big input into the proposals.”

A decision on whether the schemes will be taken forward is expected next year.