Petitioner: James A Mackie
Status:
Closed
Date Lodged:
30 November 2012
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to order a total review of Coastal Erosion protocols, responsibilities, decisions and the roles of national and Local Governments, Quangos, agencies and the private sector as the current situation is not saving coast lines and communities.
Annexes: Photographs of an area under threat from coastal erosion
Summary:
22 January 2013: The Committee took evidence from James A Mackie and David Mackay. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, the Scottish Coastal Forum, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Crown Estate, Moray Council, COSLA and Scottish Natural Heritage. Link to Official Report 22 January 2013 (393KB pdf)
16 April 2013: The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 on the grounds that there was a broad consensus amongst the organisations contacted that a review of coastal erosion protocols and responsibilities is not necessary. Link to Official Report 16 April 2013 (472KB pdf)
Written Submissions:
Coastal erosion is not something new. However in recent decades it has become more of a problem as areas that have been inhabited by man come under threat. The coast is owned by the Crown Estates who generate large sums of money from the sea bed and coastal waters around Britain. They have no responsibly to prevent coastal erosion, even when communities are at risk. Under legislation, Local Government has the responsibility for controlling and dealing with local coastal erosion. The key trigger to doing prevention work is whether or not the land will be flooded plus will the cost of intervening protect assets with a higher value than the cost of the works. If it is deemed prudent to carry out coastal erosion prevention work, studies are commissioned and the project priced out. Central Government pays 80% of the cost and the remainder comes from Local Government.