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Indicative Coastal Strategy
Introduction
Indicative Coastal Strategy Map
The coastline of South Ayrshire stretches over 70km from Barassie Sands in the north, to Galloway Burn at Finnarts Bay in the south. Along its length the coastline incorporates various land uses and activities. Encouraging development in appropriate locations, regulating in others and conserving landscape and habitats all require to be planned in the coastal area.
The coast is a valuable resource in South Ayrshire. It is a place where people live, work, visit and pursue recreational activities. So as to address the varied nature and many pressures on the coastal environment it is considered that a specific strategy is required in order to manage the coastal environment holistically.
The Purpose of The Coastal Strategy
This Indicative Coastal Strategy is a strategy for coastal planning aimed at protecting vulnerable and sensitive areas and maximising the intrinsic value of the coast to enhance tourist potential. The strategy will be valuable to potential investors and developers in South Ayrshire by indicating opportunities for development as well as the nature and location of potential constraints.
Although the strategy provides a planning policy framework, including detailed guidance, it is nonetheless intended to be indicative in that the strategy map is not site specific and functions simply to denote the guidance which broadly applies in a general area.
Similarly, the guidance included in the strategy is intended to be complementary to the other relevant provisions of the Local Plan and regard should be given in the first instance to the relevant policies contained in the Plan. For example classification of the coast as, ‘Developed’, does not automatically presume that all proposals will be considered favourably, rather that any proposal will be considered in relation to local circumstances and Local Plan policies.
National Context
National Planning Policy Guideline 13 ‘Coastal Planning’ (N.P.P.G. 13), recognises that there is a variety of coastal types in Scotland and suggests a threefold classification of the coast into ‘Developed’, ‘Undeveloped’ or ‘Remote’. N.P.P.G. 13, however also recognises that a coastal categorisation must reflect local circumstances. This strategy progresses the guidance of N.P.P.G. 13, and recognises a finer grain of classification.
Strategic Context
The Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan recognises the importance of the coast, and has categorised it into three discreet types as suggested by N.P.P.G.13. The Structure Plan requires local plans to bring forward proposals for the protection, conservation, enhancement and management of the three types of coast identified.
Local Plan Context – The Objectives of the Strategy
The objectives of the strategy is derived from the aims and objectives of the local plan and can be summarised as;.
“To reconcile recreational and tourist demands with the need to conserve and enhance the natural heritage of the South Ayrshire Coast, whilst seeking to identify and facilitate opportunities for economic regeneration of coastal communities and investment opportunities”.
THE SOUTH AYRSHIRE COAST
Definition of the extent of the Coast Area
The coastal zone has no fixed width, varying according to the specific mix of direct physical, environmental and economic linkages between the land and sea in different areas. However, generally moving in a landward direction the landuse dependence on the coast is likely to decrease. In some locations the coastal zone can cover an extensive area from the coastline. In other locations the coastal zone extends far enough only to include harbour walls, esplanades and walkways. As such, the strategy has not defined a boundary for the coastal zone, but rather outlines by way of an indicative diagram the general extent of coast where proposals should have regard to the strategy. In interpreting this diagram, regard should be given to factors such as the extent of the various landuses present in an area and evidence of such landuse’s relative dependence upon the coast. The Strategy excludes the foreshore area, which is specifically protected.
The Character of South Ayrshire’s Coastal Environment
The strategy recognises that the coastline has a variety of characteristics, however in categorising areas, regard has been given to the predominance of different environmental characteristics and landuse activities within easily identifiable areas. The classification of the coast reflects the extent to which an area is urbanised or remote. The criteria used to determine the various coast types are:
Defining Coastal Types
The full length of coast has been classified as representing one of the seven recognised types of coast. The seven types of coast categorised along South Ayrshire’s coastline are:-
Whilst the above listed typology has taken account of the various landscape characteristics and land uses, consideration has also been given to the environmental capacity of areas to absorb different types of development. The categorisation is intended to serve as a planning policy framework for the coast; taking cognisance of the sensitive environment, whilst also ensuring that appropriate opportunities for economic development are accommodated. The seven types of coast form a hierarchical framework ranging from Recreation and Tourism Development Areas which should be a focus for developments requiring a coastal location, to Remote areas which are more sensitive the characteristics of which need to be recognised and safeguarded. In total 25 separate areas have been distinguished.
Coastal Types; development guidance
The text of the strategy should be read in conjunction with the Coastal Diagram. Each of the coastal areas are numbered 1-25, as indicated on the Diagram. The diagram is printed on a separate sheet and can be found within the Local Plan folder.
Coastal Type A: Recreation and Tourism Development Areas
Urbanised resorts that comprise a mix of land uses including residential, leisure and commercial. These areas are generally well served by a range of transport modes. Many of the areas have sensitive townscapes and important promenade and open space areas. Environmental improvement will be pursued in these areas as a means of promoting them as visitor attractions. Appropriate uses may include hotels, leisure facilities and commercial development which contribute to, and enhance the vitality of, these popular visitor resorts. Coastal Type A areas include;
Coastal Type B: Intensive
Traditionally known as ‘honeypot’ locations, these areas are outwith the primary urbanised resort areas, often in highly sensitive landscapes, but which can nonetheless absorb a high level of visitor pressure through comprehensively managed facilities. Given the surrounding landscapes, and the relative isolation of such areas, the dispersal of activities beyond current limits would need to be fully justified by developers/operators. The potential visitor attractions in these areas should be maintained and further enhanced. Enhancement works to existing facilities which improve visual amenity will be encouraged. Sensitive development for the provision of recreation and tourism visitor facilities is encouraged. Coastal Type B areas include;
*Given the particularly sensitive nature of the surrounding landscape, it is not expected that development will extend beyond the boundaries as detailed in the Proposal Map of the Plan.
Coastal Type C: Developed
Industrialised areas with associated activities such as port and heavy industry. The nature of activities in these areas are such that their continued commercial and industrial uses will be further encouraged, particularily where such uses have a locational need. Coastal Type C areas include;
Coastal Type D: Partly Developed
Characterised by unobtrusive formal visitor facilities and informal recreation. Very small scale developments which integrate well with existing landuses and which complement the surrounding environment will be encouraged. Such developments should aim to accommodate existing visitor pressure. “Very small scale”, here is taken to mean facilities that would not require any substantial building works. Landscaping works may be necessary to ensure that the facilities are suitably integrated into the landscape. Coastal Type D areas include;
Coastal Type E: Undeveloped
Relatively remote areas characterised by extensive open landscapes. There will be a general presumption against development in these areas, except that associated with existing uses. Minimal development of facilities of an informal nature which do not impinge upon the surrounding landscape and which have particular regard to visual amenity and nature conservation may be acceptable. The provision of additional formal visitor facilities and development is not encouraged in these areas. Coastal Type E areas include;
Coastal Type F: Remote
Conservation of natural resources is a priority in this remote and inaccessible area. There will be a general presumption against any development. Concerns for the landscape and protection of natural beauty and a wish to enhance and manage the unspoilt nature of these areas will determine the approach to individual development proposals. Coastal Type F area;.
Coastal Type G: Islands
Relatively inaccessible offshore islands which host a range of natural heritage designation. Special management and protection of these areas is to be encouraged. Coastal Type G areas are;
| Appendix II |
| Industrial and Employment Land Strategy |
| Planning Policy for Ayr Town Centre |
| Newton Strategy |
| Heathfield Strategy |
| Forestry Strategy |
| Wildlife Strategy |
| Indicative Coastal Strategy |
