Rock ramp fish pass at Dowies Mill Weir, Cramond, Edinburgh

“Proposal: Construction of full-width rock ramp fish pass at Dowies Mill Weir on the River Almond.”

“The rock ramp fish pass will consist of a series of five low flow channels, separated by five resting pools with the upstream end located at Dowies Mill Weir; riprap erosion protection; weir repair works, and landscaping and reinstatement works. The landscaping works include riverbank restoration and habitat creation works and an enhanced community ash scattering area that will feature a boardwalk, ash scattering channel and water access steps.”

“The application relates to a 1.5-hectare area of land, featuring a section of the River Almond and surrounding land. The site contains Dowies Mill Weir, an existing fish pass, an ash scattering site, and areas of woodland to the west of the River Almond and a section of Cramond Brig Toll.”

“The application site is within the Cramond Conservation Area, Green Belt, River Almond - Cramond Local Biodiversity Site, and the Lower Almond Special Landscape Area, whilst part of the application site is within the Dalmeny, Queensferry Special Historic Garden/Designed Landscape and is designated as ancient woodland.”

“23/00861/SCR Dowies Mill Weir Cramond Brig Toll Edinburgh Request for an EIA Screening Opinion for proposal to develop rock ramp to improve fish passage EIA Not Required 29 March 2023”

“No other relevant site history was identified.”

“It is recommended that this application be Granted subject to the details below.”

“The proposal is for a project that will have a positive impact on biodiversity. It is acceptable in terms of the greenbelt, is of an appropriate design that will protect the local landscape and River Almond Special Landscape area, and, subject to conditions regarding potential archaeological impacts, will preserve heritage assets in the vicinity. No flooding impacts are identified.”

“The proposal protects Cramond Brig, the river banks, and cottages from changed water levels. The use of the western bank to enable construction vehicle access as opposed to the eastern bank (via Dowies Mill Lane) is positive. The proposal is positive for fish passage along the River Almond, protects heritage assets in the vicinity, and protects the existing towpath located beside the river.”

“The proposal has taken into account public comments made on the project in recent years. Requests for control of construction vehicles to prevent access being taken to the. The existing 'Mill Pond' is positively appreciated and used by wildlife.”

“25/01052/FUL – Report by the Chief Planning Officer To GRANT planning permission subject to the conditions, reasons and informatives as set out in section C of the report by the Chief Planning Officer.”

“Prior to the commencement of development on site including excavation, demolition or other development related works, an Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS) and Tree Protection Plan (TPP) shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the Planning Authority. For the avoidance of doubt, the plans will include full tree survey data for tree groups G73 and G80 as identified on drawing DWFP-ACM-ZZ-DD-DR-CE-010113 Tree Constraints Plan.”

“Prior to the commencement of development, the Final Contractor Construction Environmental Management Plan referenced in section 1.2 of the Construction Environmental Management Plan (AECOM, 2025), shall be submitted to the planning authority for approval. For the avoidance of doubt, the Final Contractor Construction Environmental Management Plan will be in accordance with the Construction Environmental Management Plan (AECOM, 2025).”