Sustainable Development Framework for the Gogar Burn

Project Summary

SISTech was the lead consultant for production of a catchment planning framework for the Gogar Burn. The Burn rises 15 km west of Edinburgh and flows south to north before its confluence with the River Almond at Edinburgh Airport. The lower catchment already has a number of significant land uses, including Edinburgh Airport and the Royal Highland showground. There are currently a number of proposed transport infrastructure developments, including the expansion of the airport and construction of an airport rail link, with the likelihood of significant commercial development in the future.

The Gogar Burn Partnership Group (GBPG) has brought a number of stakeholders together who have an interest in, or responsibility for, the Gogar Burn, or land within the catchment of the Burn. In late 2005, this group commissioned a project team led by SISTech to develop a Sustainable Development Framework for the Gogar Burn. The Sustainable Development Framework identified a set of ten 'Improvement Components' to address a range of problems affecting the burn and future development in the catchment. These included river restoration, flood storage, and SUDS retrofit proposals. These proposals were assessed using a decision-making process developed by the project team. Resulting from the process a set of principles were put forward for consideration in the review of the planning framework for the area.

Project Partners

SISTech worked alongside MWH, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Golder Associates and Alconbury Environmental Consultants.