Masterplan to help fight Arran coastal flooding
A masterplan to protect Arran’s shoreline – as part of a larger Ayrshire Shoreli ne Management Plan – has been approved by North Ayrshire Council’s cabinet.
The plan, developed in partnership with North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire councils, offers a largescale assessment of the risks to the people of Arran and Ayrshire, and its historic and natural environment, from coastal flooding and erosion, and identifies suitable policies for the management of these risks.
The plan covers the entire Ayrshire mainland coastline from Skelmorlie in the north to the northern shore of Loch Ryan in the south, as well as the coasts of Arran and Great Cumbrae.
On Arran the shoreline management policies and measures are divided into four main sub-cells which are then further divided into smaller policy units. The main sub-cells are; Lochranza to Clauchlands, Clauchlands Point to Kingscross Point, Kingcross Point to Drumadoon Point and Drumadoon Point to Lochranza.
Councillor Jim Montgomerie, cabinet member for place, said: ‘The Ayrshire coastline is a hugely important asset and it’s crucial that we have a proper plan in place to ensure it remains that way.
‘In the years to come, this plan will play a key role in the efforts to ensure our shoreline can be enjoyed by future generations.’
A series of consultation events were held across North Ayrshire earlier this year to give local residents a closer look at the proposals and the chance to have their say.
Taking on board the public’s comments, the updated shoreline plan was approved by the NAC cabinet on Tuesday September 4. It set out the policies on how to manage risks from flooding as well as identifying opportunities to maintain and improve the coastal environment.
The plan also identifies the need for a number of feasibility studies to be carried out over the coming years to examine the level of risk to some parts of North Ayrshire’s coastline.
These include various locations on Arran – between Lochranza and Sannox to Brodick; Whiting Bay; and Machrie Bay to Lochranza.
It can be viewed online at www.north-ayrshire. gov.uk/community-safety/flooding/ayrshire-shoreline-management-plan. aspx