NEWSCAST SMITHS GORE IN SCOTLAND THE WATER ISSUE
issue 6 Spring 2014
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Water, Water Everywhere
Toby Metcalfe t:0131 344 0888 e:toby.metcalfe@smithsgore.co.uk Almost certainly but it is going to be tepid, acidic and brimming with volatile energy. My apologies for continuing to bang a favourite drum but, having just found the time to read the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), I could not resist. I would recommend it to everyone. If I can highlight a number of paragraphs from this excellent report: B2 Ocean; B4 Sea Level; B5 Carbon and other Biogeochemical Cycles; D3 Detection and Attribution of Climate Change; E Future Global and Regional Climate Change. Farmers, fishermen, foresters, conservationists all talk of stewardship, of caring for the land and water for future generations. Many implement policies that, in an environmentally stable world, will deliver this. Furthermore, many are involved in changing policies to try in some small way to reverse rising CO2 levels. From our work across Scotland it is clear to us that individually they are committed to this course of action. This is however built on an essential partnership with Government. This must continue; it must not be blown off course. Indeed efforts need to be redoubled if we are to achieve all that we need to. In the UK, despite the self-inflicted damage caused by the 2008 financial crash, we should still be in a very much better position to show what can be achieved with clarity of purpose and innovation. We can demonstrate to others less fortunate than ourselves the costs and benefits of this effort, the good decisions and the bad. Delivering food aid to the Philippines is one thing, and a response to a particular event, but addressing the root causes of climate change are much greater challenges and the United Kingdom should be at the forefront. We need the same qualities of human endeavour and vision that drove the Industrial Revolution to be applied to this greater task. Many of the articles in this edition of Newscast have been produced by younger members of our Scottish team. They are the embodiment of a policy implemented over 10 years ago by the Partnership to employ and train the best graduates we could find, to give them a breadth of experience and rigour of training so they had the best chance of qualifying with their relevant professional body. We have just been able to announce another 100 per cent success rate for our most recent cohort of young surveyors looking to enter the RICS. Well done to all of them. Further details are provided on page 15. The Smiths Gore team in Scotland is fully engaged in the challenges large and small that face our clients. If you would like to discuss how we might be of assistance to you and your rural business please feel free to speak to me, or to any of our team members. I’m pleased also to welcome a guest article in this issue from Dr Mark Wilkinson of the James Hutton Institute (page 11). Flooding is rarely out of the news right now, and many of the solutions that we need to consider and implement will lie in close engagement with the academic sector. We need scientific minds to help us to make the right decisions.
Image - Super Typhoon Haiyan as it surges across the Philippines NASA’s Earth Observatory image by Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE/EOSDIS Rapid Response.
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Water in Scotland – Key Indicators Dr Jason Beedell t: 01733 567231 e: jason.beedell@smithsgore.co.uk
Water in Scotland
Diffuse pollution Agriculture is the most significant source of diffuse pollution in Scotland, largely as over 75 per cent of land area is used for agriculture. The main sources of pollution are:
Scottish Water supplies
NO3Animal waste
2bn litres of water every day and deals with 1bn litres of waste water every day.
Fertiliser in water (nitrates and other nutrients)
Actions to reduce this include: • Integrating pollution control into farm support payments, through cross-compliance and agri-environment schemes • Regulations through Controlled Activities Regulations (CARs)
Source: SEPA. Significant water management issues in the Scotland river basin district. 2007
Hydropower in Scotland
Water in Scotland
50 per cent of these hydro schemes 11% 145 generate 11 per cent 50% schemes are in the of Scottish electricity or 1.4 GW hours.
Abstraction 796 abstraction licences have been issued for irrigation – and this number has risen over the last 20 years. This equates to the water use of
4.8m people = a little under the total Scottish population (but with some heroic assumptions). SEPA is trying to reduce the negative impacts on water resources by: •
Issuing guidance for abstraction
•
Agreeing when water can be used, as well as how much
•
Encouraging more water storage
Pesticides and silt in freshwater, affecting fisheries
Highlands and Islands.
Changing Water Courses Agriculture can affect how water flows through a catchment through drainage, changing channels and changing vegetation. The Scottish Government has estimated that more than
1.5%
5%
Scottish Water uses 1.5 per cent of all electricity used in Scotland to produce the water 500,000 MW hours = 150,000 houses1
Scottish Water generates 5% of its electricity needs (from hydro and wind).
Based on OFGEM New typical medium consumption figure of 3,300 kW per annum
1
Massive potential 7 GW of renewable energy is already installed or in the pipeline. Scotland has renewable energy potential of 60 GW.
1,000 miles of rivers have been changed by farming. Changes to morphology are controlled through the Controlled Activities Regulations (CARs).
Source: SEPA. Significant water management issues in the Scotland river basin district. 2007
100%
2020
The Scottish Government’s target is to meet the equivalent of 100 per cent of Scotland's electricity demand from renewables by 2020.
Source: Scottish Government. Building a Hydro Nation – a Consultation 2010 Source: Scottish Government 2013
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Douglas Millican
Interview with Douglas Millican Chief Executive, Scottish Water
Douglas Millican became Chief Executive of Scottish Water in February 2013. He joined the water industry in Scotland in 1996 and since that time has seen and overseen many changes and improvements. He talks to Toby Metcalfe about where Scottish Water is now and, more importantly, its course for the future. Toby Metcalfe: You first joined the water industry in Scotland in 1996. What are the major changes you have seen since that time? Douglas Millican: The formation of Scottish Water in 2002 following the merger of the former regional water authorities was a significant development. It resulted in a single water company working hard to provide a consistently high standard of service to all customers in Scotland, irrespective of location. Since then Scottish Water has been transformed into one of the highest-performing water companies in the UK. We’re delivering a vastly improved service at the lowest average cost to household customers in Great Britain. Water quality standards are at the highest ever level and our environmental compliance has improved significantly. We’re absolutely determined to sustain high levels of performance and deliver increasingly positive outcomes for customers. I want to see a Scottish Water where we always meet our regulatory obligations as well as the expectations of our customers. We’ve been working hard to find out what’s important to our customers - building value and trust - and customer feedback is informing our plans for the future.
TM: You are now running an investment programme of around £480 million per annum. Is that sufficient to do what you have to do? DM: We have been investing significantly in our infrastructure including pipes and treatment works to deliver the best possible services for customers. Issues such as population movement and climate change are factored into our plans for the future, as well as feedback from customers on service priorities. We believe we can continue to meet our statutory obligations, maintain our assets and deliver further improvements to services. TM: What is the breakdown of that ongoing investment and how much of this for example will be spent on maintaining existing infrastructure against installing new? DM: The majority of our income is from customer charges – which on average are the lowest in Great Britain. Around two thirds of the total annual cost of water and waste water services is spent on operations and maintenance. But we will continue to invest in service improvements – for example to reduce flooding, protect and enhance the environment and provide a continuous supply of high-quality water to all our customers. Uniquely, we are publicowned and have access to some borrowing from our owners, the Scottish Government. TM: What innovative or technological changes are Scottish Water implementing at present and what areas are you looking at to
deliver further innovation and game-changing improvement? DM: To give a few examples, our squads can now inspect sewers with cameras to resolve blockages, helping to reduce the likelihood of repeat visits. We’re making increased use of mobile communication tools linked to management systems to schedule tasks for teams out in the field. We have recently opened a new intelligent control centre, which pulls together information on assets and infrastructure to help us identify potential problems before they affect service to customers. The introduction of no-dig pipe repair and replacement techniques has helped reduce costs and disruption to customers. And digital communications and social media have given us new ways of engaging with customers. TM: Are you finding there are increased challenges from changes to weather patterns, on the one hand in terms of water supply and on the other in terms of dealing with flooding and drainage? DM: On water supply, we want to improve long-term resilience by creating new links and connections between supply systems for larger communities. This will help ensure we can provide continuous supplies of high-quality water for customers, even if there is a problem with their normal supply. We’re also mindful of the need to protect our water sources from pollution and to improve the taste and look of water. We’re working closely with landowners and farmers to promote sustainable land management techniques – for example in some key drinking water
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catchments such as the River Ugie in Aberdeenshire. We are looking for more sustainable and lower cost ways of managing surface water. Sustainable urban drainage systems including permeable roads and improved land drainage can help reduce the risk of flooding and reduce pumping costs, electricity demand and carbon emissions. After working very closely with a number of partners we’ve announced a multi-million pound upgrade of Glasgow’s waste water network into a modern, sustainable drainage system which will improve the environment of the River Clyde and its tributaries and help tackle flooding and the effects of climate change. A key measure here will be the construction of a 3.1 mile-long waste water tunnel in the south of Glasgow. TM: What have been the consequences of the recession and the slow-down in the construction sector for your business? DM: There have been some difficult economic conditions in recent years but throughout we have continued to invest around £500 million a year, which has helped support jobs in Scotland’s economy as well as delivering service improvements for our customers. This has been particularly beneficial for the engineering and construction sectors. We also run apprenticeship and graduate programmes, providing a range of employment opportunities, so I’m confident we’ll continue to support Scotland’s economy and communities well into the future.
TM: Do you think that we value our water enough, or do we still take it for granted – and if we do, how can that be changed? DM: People rightly expect to turn on their taps and for there to be a highquality supply of water – and that’s what we’re always firmly focused on delivering. One thing we’ve learned from customers is that they want more information from us about water and the service we provide. We have an education programme and resources to promote the value of water among schools and young people. In recent years we’ve had an extremely popular Waterways exhibit at Glasgow Science Centre. While Scotland is seen as a water rich nation many parts of the world do not enjoy the same luxury, and we think it is important to promote water efficiency and good practices. We’ve also been promoting the correct way of disposing of items such as baby wipes and cooking oils – ie not down the toilet or sink – through a major advertising campaign. Such items can cause costly blockages of waste water pipes and lead to flooding. So it is certainly worth doing more to promote the value of not just water, but also the waste water system. TM: Is there a need for a national debate to make sure that we are setting challenging enough targets for improvements to our infrastructure? DM: The Scottish Government has a dedicated Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure who, I believe, recognises its importance to the fabric and
infrastructure of Scotland. We want to be Scotland’s most valued and trusted business and that’s why we’ve been working hard to engage with customers and find out what’s important to them when it comes to water and waste infrastructure. We are acting on the feedback to inform our future strategies. TM: As a business you must use a lot of energy. Are increasing amounts of the energy you use coming from renewables sources? Scottish Water consumes around 450GWh of electricity per year but are looking to become increasingly selfsufficient to reduce costs. We have a four-pronged approach to energy which involves reducing consumption, increasing and maximising selfgeneration, hosting private investment on our land when there is a good return for customers and mitigating the impacts of rising energy costs. Scottish Water currently generates over 28GWh through technologies such as wind, hydro and solar PV and we are capable of increasing this further. We’ve installed the UK’s first ‘Difgen’ turbine on a trunk water main, harnessing the natural pressure of water to produce renewable energy. So renewable energy has a huge role to play in delivering operational and productivity improvements and benefits for customers.
SUDS Bio-Retention Areas at Polnoon
Robert Murphy t: 0131 344 0888 e: robert.murphy@smithsgore.co.uk What Are SUDS? SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems) are a sequence of water management practices and facilities designed to drain surface water in a more sustainable way than the conventional practice of routing run-off through a pipe to a watercourse. Regulation The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is the statutory agency responsible for protecting the water environment in Scotland, under the Water Environment Water Services (WEWS) Act. SEPA now requires the use of effective, appropriate SUDS features in new developments. In terms of technical specifications and design standards for SUDS, Scottish Water’s Technical Manual ‘Sewers for Scotland’ is the relevant source of reference. As part of the regulatory process, Scottish Water will also apply constraints on access and design in relation to SUDS. Types of SUDS Schemes The principles behind SUDS typically involve the use of best management practices, examples of which might include a mitigation of accidents resulting in pollution incidents, and a reduction of polluting activities or water harvesting. SUDS facilities are generally constructed arrangements and can include features such as: • • • • • • • •
Permeable surfaces Filter strips Filter and infiltration trenches Swales Detention basins Underground storage Wetlands Ponds
SUDS schemes also act as a community resource rather than solely fulfilling the function of a drainage pond. SUDS can help to improve local quality of life through: • • •
Use of green space to store water runoff Creation of habitats for wildlife, and Creation of areas that can provide a focus for social and recreational activities.
SUDS schemes can also deliver educational benefits, providing a learning resource for children by teaching them about the role of water, plus amenity benefits through the provision of landscaped water corridors within developments. SUDS schemes also play a positive role in flood management and can help to prevent flooding. A good example of what can be achieved can be seen at Polnoon, East Renfrewshire where the following key principles in terms of SUDS provision have been adopted: •
Permeable Paving – this is used in all private courtyards and individual driveways. The system uses a permeable block that has been given careful consideration to meet an aesthetic quality as well as functionality.
•
Bio-retention Areas – these accept highway water which is filtered through aquatic plant life and underlying sub-soil. The water is then discharged to the adoptable network via a carrier pipe.
•
Soak-aways – these are for roof water but will be dependant on satisfactory infiltration rates undertaken during the construction process.
Conclusions SUDS schemes offer the potential to go beyond the functional element and provide a genuine community resource, not just a drainage pond. Of course, SUDS schemes need to comply with the relevant regulatory criteria and this can often represent a challenge in terms of balancing function with form. However, the best SUDS schemes will balance many aspects of what can and cannot be delivered and be appropriate to the particular site rather than derivative. The best schemes can also offer a community and leisure resource and increase biodiversity through design. It is therefore important to consider the most appropriate solutions at an early stage in the design process to ensure that SUDS are built into the site masterplanning and that their potential is realised. A well thought out SUDS scheme may also create the potential for density increases on site and this should be factored into consideration in respect of site design.
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Private Water Supplies The Legal Responsibility
Sarah Butler t: 01738 554917 e: sarah.butler@smithsgore.co.uk It is estimated that approximately 3 per cent of Scotland’s population¹ relies on a privately sourced supply of water; that is water which is not supplied by Scottish Water. The quality of water from these alternative sources can vary considerably and is largely dependent on maintenance and treatment systems to ensure a level of wholesomeness. It is vital that suppliers of water from a private water source are fully aware of the quality of the supply and any risks that are associated with it so that these can be managed accordingly. Suppliers must also be aware of the legal obligations and regulations that govern water supplies and the role that the local authority has in enforcement. All supplies must be registered with the relevant Local Authority. Principally, the Local Authority has two key areas of responsibility: 1. It oversees the enforcement of The Private Water Supply (Scotland) Regulations 2006. 2. It has the ability to serve a Notice requiring improvements to be undertaken as detailed by The Water (Scotland) Act 1980. Looking at the two separate pieces of legislation with particular reference to private water supplies: The Private Water Supply (Scotland) Regulations 2006 The main objective of these regulations is the provision of clean and safe drinking water. The regulations are derived
from the European Drinking Water Directive (Council Directive 98/83/EC) and supercede all previous regulations. The regulations divide water supplies into two categories. Type A supplies concern those providing 10m³ or more of water a day or serving 50 or more persons, and supplies to commercial or public activities irrespective of their size. Type A supplies must comply with the full provisions of the Drinking Water Directive (DWD). All other supplies are referred to as Type B supplies. These are exempt from the full provisions of the DWD but are subject to the national water quality standards. Outside this, local authorities have discretionary powers to assure themselves about the wholesomeness and sufficiency of these supplies. The Water (Scotland) Act 1980 This Act provides the legislative rules. It clearly states that each dwelling requires an adequate and wholesome water supply. Failure to comply with this can result in the local authority serving a Notice requiring improvements to be carried out. If you need help with any of the above aspects, the Environmental Health department of the appropriate local authority should be the first port of call. They will be able to provide you with an information pack which supports the introduction of the strengthened regulations and which includes simple measures that users can take to reduce risks from their private water supply. ¹ Drinking Water Quality Regulator
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Hydro power - are you sitting on a goldmine?
Thomas McMillan t: 0131 344 0888 e: thomas.mcmillan@smithsgore.co.uk Many farmers and estate owners may already be in possession of hydro schemes that they know relatively little or nothing about. Because smaller run-of-river hydro installations show little evidence of their existence above the ground, historic hydro schemes can easily be overlooked and forgotten, but often these old hidden schemes can remain in reasonably good condition and require relatively little refurbishment to be brought back into operation. The advantage of refurbishing an historic scheme is that much of the infrastructure required will already be in existence, meaning that less construction work is required so reducing capital costs and improving the finances of the scheme. In addition, any existing infrastructure that can be refurbished means that embodied energy in the historic construction is preserved, also making the scheme a greener prospect in terms of carbon savings. Key features to look for to establish if you might have an historic scheme are any concreting works associated with watercourses such as dams, weirs, or any channels that are intended to divert water. Small abandoned buildings located near watercourses may have been powerhouses in their time. Often old dams and weirs can remain in good condition, and roadways built to access these may still be in place and usable. The buried pipe that carries water to the turbine could still be intact and even pressurised. If the pipe is intact then it could be inspected using CCTV and cleaned out to make
it ready for use. Even where a pipe is shown to be damaged beyond repair, there will at least be an existing trench into which a new pipe could easily be laid without the need for costly rock breaking. Hydro turbines may also be present in a turbine house and this equipment can sometimes be refurbished or, if in poor condition, replaced. The work of previous generations can therefore be retained, refurbished and passed on for the benefit of future generations. Newly installed hydro schemes are nominally given a lifespan of 40 years although, with a good maintenance regime including replacement of turbines, it is quite reasonable to expect a scheme to have a lifespan of 70 to 100 years or more, leaving a long term asset in place. If you think that you might have an old, decommissioned hydro scheme on your property, it’s well worth investigating the potential for refurbishment, both in terms of meeting your own future energy needs and generating revenue through feeding power into the grid. Refurbished hydro schemes are eligible for the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs), with these currently standing at 20.21p/kWh for a scheme sized between 15kW and 100kW. From April 2014 there are planned degressions of FIT rates on at least an annual basis, with the first expected to be between 5 per cent and 20 per cent. It is therefore vital to commission projects as soon as possible in order to secure the best possible tariff because this is the rate that will apply over the next 20 years.
Changes to weather, increased restrictions through NVZ regulations and high fixed costs will mean looking at other options for heavy ground
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Alix Whitaker t: 01738 479184 e: alix.whitaker@smithsgore.co.uk Most arable farms have high fixed costs and need to farm every available acre in order to spread those costs. With reducing investment in drainage and changing climatic conditions resulting in heavy ground often being waterlogged and left fallow, the advent of Ecological Focus Areas (EFA) under the new CAP regime may provide an alternative return both environmentally and economically – but there are other options too. Drainage Poorly drained, heavy fields result in a fairly hostile environment for growing crops with roots starved of oxygen and the soil taking longer to warm up in spring. Research has shown that drainage can lengthen the growing season of crops by up to two weeks, which should result in better yields. In some parts of the country yield advantage for crops on drained vs undrained soil is between 10 and 25 per cent - which in Scotland can often be the difference between a good harvest or a crop failure. Further benefits of drainage include reduced water logging and increased fertilizer uptake. For grassland, drainage will increase the proportion of productive grasses at the expense of weed species, increase the response to Nitrogen and reduce incidence of liver fluke and foot problems in stock, both of which can have a debilitating impact on the financial return from livestock. However, drainage doesn’t come cheap, costing between £1,000 - £2,500 per acre which may be too significant an investment for some farm businesses. However, effective drainage will pay for itself many times over, even where external funding is utilised.
income from a successful application should cover the loss of revenue associated with not cropping the ground. Of these few options, arable reversion may be particularly attractive as it opens funding streams not just through the SRDP but also potentially from grazing stock. However, as yet, there still remains uncertainty over what exactly will be contained in the next SRDP and there can be cashflow issues as the work required has to be completed before reimbursement. Regard should also be had for wider farm plans to ensure an SRDP contract would not impact or limit daily operational requirements. Agroforestry Income is derived from both an arable crop and from trees and associated produce within the cropping area with a minimal reduction to yield of the arable crop. Indeed due to the saleable crop of trees, studies have shown an increase in output of up to 40 per cent over traditional cropping over the same area. Trees help to dry out the soil, improve soil condition, and protect the crop and ground from wind and loss of topsoil. Such a regime also works well for pasture systems, providing shade and protection from weather for livestock. In addition, trees count towards an Ecological Focus Area with funding already available from the Woodland Trust for small-scale planting, and the Forestry Commission is currently looking at funding for larger projects, possibly through the next round of SRDP. Wildlife benefit areas
Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP)
Another option is for the land to become a wildlife benefit area, remaining as wetland, potentially qualifying as an EFA, and possibly increasing sporting potential for species such as snipe.
The next round of the SRDP is out for consultation until 28th February and is likely to provide funding for various options such as wetland management, fencing water margins, arable reversion to grassland and targeted grazing, and the resultant
One thing is for certain – as weather patterns change, operations on heavy ground will be become more difficult and the necessity of diversifying will have to be considered in the future in order to make the best returns from the land.
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The value of game fishing in Scotland
John Coleman t: 0131 344 0888 e: john.coleman@smithsgore.co.uk Scotland’s salmon and sea trout rivers continue to improve and in many cases flourish. The reported total rod catch (both retained and released) of wild salmon and sea trout for 2012 was 86,013* salmon and 22,051* sea trout representing an overall increase on the previous year. For wild salmon these figures show the tenth highest rod catch on record although, on average, sea trout are faring less well. There are significant regional and river variations but these statistics are an important guide for fishery managers and rural surveyors who will be relying on them to arrive at capital values on a number of our most important river beats and estates. Values are calculated using a capitalised rental figure applied to the average 10 year, or sometimes 5 year, catch records. The art is in selecting the right capital figure to use taking into account how well the water fishes and how interesting or accessible it is. Higher values are given to rivers that fish with fly only than those with spinner or worm, and to those that have some control over water levels. Most of the classic rivers are in the east with the best known being the Spey, Dee, Tay and Tweed but the rivers Shin, Helmsdale, Orchy, Nith and Findhorn always attract strong interest too. The west coast is particularly well known for its smaller spate rivers, streams and lochs and fishing in the western isles is particularly sought after. Capital values are currently ranging from about £3,000 to £8,000 per salmon and £1000 to £1,500 per sea trout. Opportunities to purchase fishing come in many forms but, unlike shooting rights, it is possible to own the right to fish for salmon and sea trout without actually having to buy land. The right to fish also carries the implied right of access in order to exercise those rights. Many of the premier rivers in Scotland have been syndicated with prime beats (stretches of water) sold as weekly timeshares but it is also possible to purchase these rights over one of both banks of entire rivers in perpetuity.
enjoyed over the property. Suisgill Estate, which includes a significant share of the Helmsdale, is one such example that is currently for sale. But, in addition to these very specific heritable assets, many of our rural properties include land through which passes smaller rivers or includes fresh water lochs. The rights to freshwater fishing belong to the owner of the land adjacent to the water. Almost every loch has fine trout fishing and many rivers offer outstanding trout and grayling fishing. This right also includes coarse fishing for carp, perch, roach and pike. These are especially good in the southwest of Scotland and Scottish pike are internationally renowned for their size and quality with fish over 20 lbs caught regularly. Because these rights cannot be sold separately it is not possible to attach a value to them in the same way as for salmon and sea trout rights and the exercise becomes one of assessing added amenity. The opportunity to buy property which has fishing is definitely a selling point for some but equally may be of no interest to others. Attracting keen anglers through thoughtful marketing is the best way to add value but quantifying it comes from the heart rather than the calculator. Smiths Gore is currently marketing a number of fishing opportunities with time share beats on the River Spey in March and a 3200 metre stretch of the River Lossie catching 10 sea trout each year. Rights to fish Loch Damph are also being offered for sale and the chance to catch monster brown trout recorded at up to 20lbs! Some houses and estates with fishing rights include the magnificent Torridon House estate which includes salmon and sea trout fishing on the River Corrie and is on the market for £1,250,000. Croys House near Castle Douglas includes fishing on the Urr Water at £745,000 and Greshornish on Skye at £850,000 has secluded loch and shoreline and access to great sea fishing. *Source: Scottish Government statistics. 2013 figures are yet to be released.
Often whole or large stretches of river form part of larger land and estate sales and are just one aspect of sport that can be
Natural engineering can help protect against floods
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Dr Mark Wilkinson, James Hutton Institute After large swathes of the UK suffered record January rainfall resulting in flooding in many areas, including the Somerset Levels which were submerged for weeks on end, it is clear flooding is a problem which is here to stay. A project in Northumberland, which has used natural engineering solutions to slow water flow and capture peaks upstream, to prevent floods downstream where they are likely to have a greater impact on infrastructure and homes, offers hope with a new cost-effective approach. The six-year demonstration project on the Belford Burn has shown that, by changing and hindering the natural flow pathways within a small catchment system, it is possible to manage the amount of run-off from the land. This reduces the risk of flooding in low-lying areas and also cuts down on pollution by preventing phosphorous and nitrates from being washed off the land. The project was conducted by experts from Newcastle University in partnership with the Environment Agency. As Study Lead on that project my view is that climate projections for the UK suggest that total rainfall during winter months will continue to rise and with it the risk of flooding. What we have shown at Belford is that by employing so-called ‘soft engineering solutions’ to restrict the progress of water through a catchment – disconnecting fast-flow pathways and adding storage – we have been able to reduce the risk of flooding in the lower areas and, most importantly, in the town. Belford is not unique and there are many other areas around the UK where these solutions could make a significant impact and potentially protect peoples’ homes from some of the more severe flooding we have been seeing. Dr Paul Quinn, lead of the Proactive group (http://research. ncl.ac.uk/proactive) at the School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at Newcastle University, commented: “The situation in Belford is typical of many rural towns around the UK that are at risk of flooding. It is a town with a long
history of flooding but the floods tend to be short-lived – albeit severe – and only tend to affect a small number of properties. A feasibility study concluded that traditional flood defences were not suitable because of the high-cost, lack of space for flood walls and banks and the relatively small number of properties involved. “One of the main reasons why the Belford scheme has been such a success is because we’ve had the support of the community and local landowners behind us. There is no single solution to flooding – no ‘silver bullet’ – but what the Belford scheme has shown us is what can be achieved with local support and a thorough understanding of the land and the local environment.” The Belford Burn scheme cost around £200,000 and was installed after a study of the area suggested the cost of a full conventional flood defence scheme for the town would cost in the region of £2.5 million. Natural flood management restricts the progress of water through a catchment and relies on one, or a combination of four key mechanisms which work with the environment to provide a sustainable solution to the problem. •
Storing water such as ponds, ditches and field attenuation bunds.
•
Increasing soil infiltration through the creation of ‘infiltration zones’ to help water get into the soil at certain locations, for example tree belts.
•
Slowing water by increasing resistance to its flow, for example planting in the floodplain or riverside woodland.
•
Redirecting the water by channelling it away from the main flow into temporary water storage areas or buffer zones to hold the water back until the flood peak drops, or restoring river meanders. This increases the length of the river and decreases its slope, slowing down the flow.
Dr Mark Wilkinson is a research scientist at the James Hutton Institute specialising in catchment hydrology, particularly flood risk management at source.
Photograph © Mark Wilkinson, James Hutton Institute
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2014 a showcase year for environmental tourism in Scotland Cara Duncan t: 0131 344 0888 e: cara.duncan@smithsgore.co.uk Depending on your source, Scotland has around 10,000 miles of coastline including its islands, and 10 major rivers of 60 miles or more, the longest being the 120 mile long River Tay. Scotland also has more than 30,000 freshwater lochs and lochans, the largest being Loch Lomond at 71 sq kms. In addition Scotland’s five canals have a length of around 140 miles and are used annually by an estimated 1500 boats. Scotland’s water is a fantastic resource and a vital part of the Scottish Government’s green tourism strategy. This extent of water lends itself to a range of tourism, recreational, sport and amenity opportunities, whether on it, by it, or because of the habitats created by it. Water-borne tourism ranges from the Tiree Wave Classic, the longest standing and most prestigious windsurfing event in British waters, to more sedate activities like bird watching on Loch Vaa, and from fishing on some of the world’s most famous salmon rivers to simply enjoying the sights like the white sand sea-framed tombolo at St Ninian’s Isle on Shetland or the Grey Mare’s Tail in the Scottish Borders Scotland competes successfully in a global market to attract visitors who come because of water-based tourism and many landowners and land managers, local authorities included, have grasped opportunities to diversify into this sector, providing first class attractions and associated accommodation. Scotland’s reputation in this area continues to grow, in terms of wildlife watching and activity holidays, culture and heritage tourism, and food and drink tourism, in addition to sports and freshwater and sea fishing. Diversification into green tourism can be a valuable revenue stream for many land based businesses, and one that can dovetail with other mainstream
activities, such as farming, forestry renewables or sporting for example. 2014, with the Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup and Homecoming Scotland, presents a tremendous opportunity to showcase what we have to offer to visitors, many of whom will travel far further afield than the main sporting venues and the host golf course at Gleneagles. VisitScotland and the Scottish Tourism Alliance are doing their utmost to see that the benefits of what should be a bumper year for tourism filter down through the sector, with economic benefits maximised, sustainable growth encouraged, and longer term opportunities secured also. Landowners should be seeking to make their tourism assets work just that bit harder. Many will already be delivering innovative activity based enterprises but given that 2014 is a ‘showcase’ year then now is the last chance for some additional investment and upgrading during the low season. There are organisations that can help, representing trade sectors such as the Association of Scottish Self Caterers (www.assc.co.uk) or activities such as Wild Scotland (www.wild-scotland.org.uk). Smiths Gore’s business professional consultancy arm is also available to identify new opportunities, assess potential, and promote business growth as we have done with many landbased Scottish clients. Scotland rightly has a reputation for being a clean and unspoiled destination with an abundance of natural beauty enhanced by our rivers, lochs and spectacular coastline – and this year presents a fantastic opportunity to show that off to best advantage on the international stage.
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Potential effects of hydraulic fracturing on water in the UK Faye Gonzalez t: 01343 823000 e: faye.gonzalez@smithsgore.co.uk Fracking, the extraction of natural gas from non-porous shale rock, involves drilling a well down into the shale zone, pumping down pressurised water, sand and chemicals to fracture the shale rock, capturing the escaping methane gas and recovering the dirty water for treatment and reuse. The industry is in its infancy in the UK but the debate over environmental impacts in the USA are well publicised with reports of seismic tremors and pollution of air, water supplies and aquifers. We have identified potential impacts on groundwater and surface water and they are as follows: Water acquisition Fracking could involve using large quantities of clean water, typically 10,000 to 30,000 m3 water per well. This may be obtained from local water supply or by abstraction if permitted by SEPA with some concern over the increased risk of water shortage as a result. A three year drought plan is therefore a vital component of any operation. Potential contamination of water Two potential processes would allow shallow aquifers to be contaminated: failure of a well’s casing; or an upward flow of fluids from the shale gas zone through poor fracture containment. Regarding the first, The Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction etc) Regulations 1996 (DCR) apply to all wells and require independent verification that a well is strong enough to cope with the pressures exerted. For the second, DECC, EA, SEPA and the HSE have worked with the UK Onshore Operators Group to codify best practice for onshore shale gas wells and resultant guidelines provide a description of the Hydraulic Fracturing Programme and the risk assessment now required as part of DECC’s fracking consent. Control and mitigation measures for fracture containment are also described.
Risk mitigation The British Geological Survey has been undertaking a National Baseline Survey of Methane covering all prospective areas for shale gas in England and Wales. Results were published last June allowing environmental regulators to understand background methane levels prior to assessing permit applications. Where risk of ground water contamination is possible then a permit is required which may include conditions on limits of substances discharged into the water environment. We think that good industry practice will be sufficient to prevent the well fracture being a major issue. The issue of escaping fluids however is more contentious and although assessed by the Royal Society as highly unlikely’ it is not possible to say that this will definitely not occur. Baseline studies on methane levels should be undertaken to allow those who might be affected by a contamination to prove that this has been the case. However this is retrospective, and damage will already have been done to the aquifers. Conclusion A polarised debate on the potential impacts of fracking is inevitable and Frack Off Scotland has already emerged in opposition. The Royal Academy of Engineering and the Government has concluded that the risks can be managed via regulation and best practice. With robust regulatory systems and environmental controls then this should be possible. In addition, each site should be assessed on its merits - parallels should not be drawn between anecdotal reports from the USA and what might happen in Scotland as both technology and its impacts will differ under different geological conditions. What is clear however is that the process will continue to be controversial for some considerable time to come.
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On the waterfront Jonathan Mitchell t: 01387 263066 e: jonathan.mitchell@smithsgore.co.uk
The Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill Scottish farmed salmon is exported globally to around 50 countries with the emerging Chinese market to account soon for £500 million worth of sales. Indeed, Scottish farmed salmon is recognised as one of Scotland’s most valuable products. The Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill is designed to promote the sustainable development of fish farming and freshwater fisheries to ensure that they are managed effectively in order to support sustainable economic growth. The Bill will allow Ministers the power to oversee management of Scottish salmon fisheries through measures put into farm management agreements, and statements to manage sea-lice and disease. In addition, statutory carcass tagging for all net caught salmon has been introduced as a measure to reduce levels of illegal and unreported catch. The Bill also makes provision for statutory management agreements and technical standards for fish farm operators which in turn will help the prevention of escapes and the identification of fish should they do so.
The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2013 These rules largely remain the same as before, but alterations have been made regarding the storage and use of pesticides within the water environment, and also rules and regulations relating to diffuse pollution from rural land use. For example, a greater restriction has been placed on where fertilizer must be stored, and that it cannot be applied within 10m of any burn, river or watercourse. Livestock feeders must also not be placed where run-off from the area could enter the watercourse. There are also additional restrictions placed on modifications to watercourses by land managers, and a new level of authorisation for removal of sand, silt or clay from the bed of previously straightened rivers and burns that are equal to 1m and less than 5m wide. These will now require registration. From the 1 April 2013 there is also a new level of authorisation for construction of boreholes greater than 200 metres depth and a complex licence will now be required. These additional rules will put greater pressure on landowners, tenants, farm managers and all involved in land management practices close to watercourses to ensure that the new rules are adhered to. For any clarification over what is and is not allowed either SEPA or your professional advisor should be contacted.
Scotland's salmon sales to
China expected to top
£500M
From 1 April
13 new regs for
200m+ boreholes
The Water Resources (Scotland) Act 2013 In 2012, the Scottish Government set out its vision and plan for Scotland as a ‘Hydro Nation’ and the formation of its Hydro Nation Forum – steps taken to allow the country to manage its water environment to best advantage. It’s believed that Scotland is unique in this respect; the first country in the world to set such a challenge, and as a consequence clearly lay out how everyone can ‘use’ water. The ‘sharp end’ of the challenge comes with the Water Resources Scotland Act 2013. This places new duties on Scottish Water to enhance the sustainable development of Scotland’s water resource, to promote renewable energy, to help to boost the country’s low carbon economy, and to create jobs. Reducing both consumption and wastage of water helps to relieve the pressure on valuable water resources, and to reduce carbon emissions linked to abstraction, pumping and heating of water. All land managers need to grasp this concept and promote its uptake. Our view is that the Act is good in practice and further contributes to Scotland generating 100 per cent of its own electricity use by 2020. However it does bring additional restrictions, among which is the requirement to apply to Scottish Ministers for consent to abstract water from surface water resources if that abstraction is to exceed 10 megalitres per day.
Scotland aims to generate
100% of its own electricity by
2020
15
The Pulse Where we ask sector experts their view on a particular topic and they tell us in around 75 words. So we asked:
"Water is a precious and important natural resource. It is vital to life, to Scotland’s economy, and to our environment.” These are fine words from the Scottish Government, but what are you doing in response to this challenge? Mark Powles, Chief Executive, Business Stream, says:
Steve Dunlop, Chief Executive of Scottish Canals, says:
“There’s no doubt that water is precious for Scotland and it is also a finite resource. That’s why one of Business Stream’s major drives is to help customers reduce their water. We’ve introduced a range of innovative services since the non-domestic water market opened in 2008, many of which are geared towards achieving this. That’s seen us reduce water consumption by 16 billion litres and deliver more than 28,000 tonnes of carbon savings.”
“We believe the canals can be a key driver for positive change in Scotland. The 22 million visitations to the green gyms of the towpath network each year provide substantial health benefits, and we’re supporting social enterprises and businesses on the canals to build stronger communities and generate income to reinvest in the network.
Suzanne Roberts, Campaigns Coordinator, Keep Scotland Beautiful, says: “Keep Scotland Beautiful is Scotland’s environmental charity, and through our Clean Up Scotland campaign we aim to engage a million like-minded people by the end of 2014 to help to do something about the litter and dog fouling that blights our landscapes and water environments. Excellent water quality is vital to the success of beaches that are put forward for the Blue Flag and Seaside Award recognition schemes we administer too.”
“The canals also provide a solution to excess surface water, unlocking land that can be developed and regenerated to bring vibrancy and economic benefits to the communities along their banks.” A spokesperson for The Scottish Government says: “The Scottish Government is committed to developing the value of Scotland’s water resources and has set out in the Water Resources (Scotland) Act 2013 its vision of Scotland as a Hydro Nation. Scotland the Hydro Nation manages its natural water
abundance for economic and social benefit and protects and enhances the environment, all driven by leading academic, regulatory and industrial expertise, improving the productivity of its water industry by establishing a water innovation hub to bring new technologies and skills through to the market to capitalise on global market potential. Scotland is responding to global water challenges, supporting better water governance and increased hydropower generation.” Roger Knight, Director, Spey Fishery Board & Spey Foundation, says: “The Spey Fishery Board has been concerned for many years that the cumulative impact of the river’s 45 licensed abstractions is having an adverse impact on the ecology of the Spey and its designated species. Up to 20 per cent of the mean annual water flow is currently abstracted and there are proposals to take even more. We continue to implore SEPA to take a holistic approach to water resource management throughout the Spey catchment.”
News in Brief New in the Edinburgh Office
Cara Duncan
Tara Cowley
Cara Duncan, Graduate Rural Surveyor has joined SG from a spell working at the family business, Stonefield Farm, covering all aspects of estate management and focusing on the start up of a farm shop at Stonefield Farms in 2011. Cara studied at The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester gaining an MSc in Rural Estate Management. Her main areas of responsibility and involvement at Smiths Gore include estate and farm management and the Crown Estate Salmon Fishings.
Tara Cowley, Planning Consultant, previously worked for Fife Council with five years in development planning, primarily working on the St Andrews and East Fife Local Plan, and latterly the emerging Fife Local Development Plan. Tara has also projectmanaged developments in Fife including strategic land releases in both Cupar and St Andrews and for a time was seconded to the Scottish Government.
fully fledged Chartered Surveyors. We have developed an excellent training programme that is designed to ensure that the trainees are both taught the skills needed to undertake the roles that they take on within our business to the highest standard, but also give them the best chance of qualifying first time around. I am pleased to confirm a 100% pass rate was achieved in Autumn 2013 with all of those in our latest cohort passing their APC.
Prior to Fife Council, she worked as a consultant delivering planning and regeneration projects for a range of clients.
For many years our ethos has been to recruit staff at graduate level for the long term and as proved by our particularly high staff retention rate, we are successful in seeing many of them progress right through the firm to partner level. Indeed we have high expectations of the 36 graduate trainees that are currently in the business and are striving to ensure that each reaches his or her full potential. After all they represent the future of the firm. Rupert Clark, Head of Management Division
Graduate Trainee Success As a firm we pride ourselves in the quality of graduate trainees that we attract to the business and in their success in passing their final exams, the Assessment of Professional Competence, which sees them become
THE Scottish NETWORK Berwick office 8 Castlegate Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 1JS t: 01289 333030 e: berwick@ smithsgore.co.uk
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Edinburgh office 22 Young Street Edinburgh EH2 4JB t: 0131 344 0888 e: edinburgh@ smithsgore.co.uk
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Perth office 13 Marshall Place Perth PH2 8AH t: 01738 479180 e: perth@ smithsgore.co.uk