This means that the scheme will now move forward with the council seeking the necessary power under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 to implement the scheme.

This statutory scheme notice, planned for issue at the end of March, will contain information on where the scheme documents can be viewed as well as where and how any objections can be made.

The scheme aims to protect more than 6025 people, 2760 residential properties, 1200 commercial properties and 23 kilometres of roads in the areas of Grangemouth, Wholeflats, Glensburgh, Langlees, Carron, Carronshore and Camelon (Stirling Road) together with the nationally significant Grangemouth Industrial Complex.

The number of protected properties and kilometres of infrastructure has increased as the scheme design has developed and reached the finalised outline design stage.

The new figures take account of the finalised flood risk modelling and new data being available such as building, topographical and hydrological data.

Projected costs for the full scheme have been estimated at between £450 million and £672m as the scope has increased, greater design detail has been progressed and the passage of time with inflationary pressures all contributing to making it by far Scotland’s largest flood protection scheme.

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of Falkirk Council, said: “I am pleased that we have this important agreement to bring GFPS forward to notification and to move forward with this nationally significant scheme that I hope will continue to be fully supported by the Scottish Government.

“It will protect the vital economic hub of Grangemouth, from floods caused by local rivers and coastal flooding from the Firth of Forth. It’s crucial for safeguarding and protecting not only local but national interests.

“I would encourage everyone who has an interest to attend the forthcoming events to ensure they have the full information. Further statutory documentation will also be sent to affected properties in the next two months.”

The scheme will now hold online and in-person information engagement events across the scheme area in late February and early March before completing statutory notification at the end of March. These events will advise of the final outline scheme design for the 28km of flood defences in an exhibition format.

Everyone who is affected, has a land or property interest or is seeking further information about this nationally important scheme will be able to see the final designs, ask questions, and provide comments at the in-person or online sessions.

The events will also be accompanied by a virtual, digital exhibition which will carry the same information for anyone who can’t make it along to local events. Further details of all the events will be published soon.

Work is also continuing with the Scottish Government which has stated “it is committed to working with Falkirk Council to determine an alternative funding stream for GFPS”.