COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT
4.38 The coast is one of the North East’s foremost attractions in terms of its wildlife and landscape value, its attraction for tourists and residents and its association with marine-based industries such as fishing and oil. It is also hugely varied physically and demands careful management. Although planning policies have always sought to protect the coastal zone, development and visitor pressures continue. Government advice in NPPG 13 recognises the importance and variety of Scotland’s coast and sets out general principles for its protection and management. It recommends that the coast is divided into three areas; developed, undeveloped and remote. Detailed advice on coastal planning is given in PAN 53 "Classifying the Coast for Planning Purposes". Most of the coastline in the North East is classified as "undeveloped". The exceptions include Aberdeen, St Fergus and the Aberdeenshire coastal settlements with a population greater than 2000 which are classified as ‘developed’. There are no areas of remote coast in the structure plan area.
4.39 Where appropriate, local authorities and other agencies should work together to:
identify areas at risk from coastal erosion and flooding and which may require coastal protection studies; and input to Coastal Management Plans or Protection Studies where they are needed.
| POLICY 29 |
| Coastal Planning |
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The structure plan classifies the coastline around the North East as ‘undeveloped coast’ except for areas around larger settlements classified as ‘developed coast’. These zones will be shown in detail in local plan proposals maps. In general development that requires a coastal location or that contributes to the social and economic well being of settlements should be restricted to the developed coast. Proposals on the undeveloped coast should only be considered where social and economic benefits outweigh any detrimental environmental impact and where there are no other alternatives on previously developed land or in existing settlements. Development shall
be prohibited on any parts of the coast that are identified as at
risk from flooding or erosion. |
