Irvine Bay Regeneration Company

Proposed Irvine Bay Coastal Park

Environmental Scoping Report

Please submit all correspondence to:

Marion Francis

mfrancis@irvinebay.co.uk

01294 608634

INTRODUCTION

This is an environmental scoping report to assist the development of a Coastal Park

strategy in the Irvine Bay area of North Ayrshire. The area is question is centred on

Irvine Bay and which serves the five local settlements (Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Irvine,

Stevenston and Kilwinning). The proposed plan will identify how access, recreation,

facilities, nature conservation and environmental improvements could be

incorporated within the coastal park. These would benefit the local communities, help

to raise the area’s profile as a visitor destination and be a catalyst for inward

investment and migration.

This report has been prepared through facilitated discussion with members of key

agencies including North Ayrshire Council’s planning services, Economic

Development, Ranger Service and Streetscene Services; Ayrshire’ Joint Planning

Unit; Scottish Natural Heritage; and Visit Scotland. For the purposes of this report,

these key agencies will be referred to as the “steering group”. Environmental

Legislation has been taken account of holistically throughout these discussions, with

the inclusion of North Ayrshire Council’s Policy Officer (Environment), who is suitably

qualified and competent to advise and assist on these matters.

THE IRVINE BAY AREA

The study area is approximately 4,124.62 hectares and extends from Ardrossan

Headland to Troon Headland, incorporating approx. 20km of coastline, the towns of

Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Stevenston, Irvine and eastwards to include part of Kilwinning

and Eglinton Country Park. The area is bounded by the A78, A737 and B746 on its

north, east and south sides and by the sea to the west. Although the area is

developed lowland coast with much of the area comprising urban settlement and

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industrial landuse and golf courses, there are areas of greenspace and nature

conservation value linked to the dunes, the river corridors, mudflats and grazing

marshes. The area is subject to considerable change following the loss of traditional

industry and manufacturing, the stagnation of the Irvine New Town concept, and, with

the regeneration of the area driven by the Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, the

continuing pressure for residential development and the recreational development

linked to golf. A map is provided in Figure 1. This only demonstrates an outline of the

area and its borders are deliberately fuzzy; there has been no decision on the

coverage of the coastal park as yet. This does not interfere with an assessment of

the environment.

It is against this background that the strategy sets out an ambitious and long term

vision for the creation of a Coastal Park. The initiative will deliver a range of

significant benefits including:

• creation of an important recreation resource for southwest Scotland, linking the area

to the Clyde Gateway and capitalising on the excellent transport system thereby

attracting local people and visitors to the area;

• delivery of a range of significant benefits for surrounding communities including

training, employment and enterprise development initiatives, and the linked

enhancement of greenspaces within communities;

• conservation and enhancement of the area’s estuarine biodiversity;

• support for residential and commercial investment and regeneration in the area,

linked to a significant enhancement in the quality of development across the area.

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The Plan is influenced by various plans and strategies, including North Ayrshire’s

local development plan, core path plan and access strategy; Ayrshire’s local

biodiversity action plan; and Irvine Bay’s Business plan.

Figure 1: A Deliberately Fuzzy Boundary of a Potential Coastal Park for Irvine Bay

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POTENTIAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

Table 1 provides the outcome of the facilitated environmental screening process, to

identify the potential environmental effects that could arise from the plan.

Environmental Aspect Potential Effects Air Quality (e.g. Transport) Very minimal indirect effect i.e. contributing to

cumulative improvements in air quality from carbon-intensive growth

Water Use/Quality Slight improvement if there is considerable appropriate soft engineering if aligned with the aspirations of the water framework directive

Soils, Geology or Land Possible improvement to some soil quality and safeguarding highest quality soil.

Landscape Scope for significant soft - green - landscape improvements

Use of Chemicals Perhaps within a regime of tender-based works; project level environmental awareness has potential to minimise this

Climate Change (e.g. Energy use, Transport, mitigation)

Possible consideration to align with flood prevention issues, realignment and use of natural flood defences

Human Health Minor risk anticipated from poor soil quality Natural Resources (e.g. minerals, timber)

Potential to improve supply of natural resources for local use

Noise and/or Light Pollution

Minimal improvements through appropriate screen tree planting

Ecology (e.g. Green/open spaces, biodiversity, animals and plants)

Significant improvement possible for integrated habitats and habitat enhancement

Waste Encourage cleaner beaches; but could have an indirect effect on strandline-based ecosystem services i.e. embryonic sand dune development

Heritage Assets (e.g. listed buildings, sites of archaeological interest)

Possible heritage trail could improve our assets and perception of the area (refs: the James Clements – Stevenston, The Kernel of Cunningham1; McJanet (1938)2; Strawhorn (1985)3

Table 1: Screening of Potential Environmental Effects Arising from Coastal Park

Development and Activities 1 Clements, J. (1974) Stevenston The Kernel of Cunninghame Burgh of Stevenston Burgh Offices Stevenston. 2 McJannet, A.F. (1938), The Royal Burgh of Irvine. Glasgow : Civil Press. 3 Strawhorn, J (1985) The History of Irvine: From Royal Burgh to New Town John Donald Publishers Ltd

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Table 2 presents the environmental strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the coastal park development and activities.

STRENGTHS (Current State of the Environment)

• Afford scenic views • Variety of landscape and

habitats • Unique in Scotland • Dune system • Local nature reserve • Geologically rich, with

historical relevance • Flood prevention (sand dunes) • Network of sustainable

transport opportunities (linked to awareness and education opportunities)

WEAKNESSES (Current State of the Environment)

• Some areas of significantly poor soil quality

• Industrial legacy (landscape impact) and large areas of derelict industrial land, partly addressed by local development plan

• Infrastructure network at risk from climate change

• Water quality in places • Lack of maintenance • Lack of sustainable

connectivity between Irvine and three towns

• CoMAH Zone

OPPORTUNITIES (What the Plan Can Deliver)

Promotion of ecological tourism with tangible improvements for

• Biodiversity (incl. habitat linkages); align with Water framework directive and Integrated habitat networks

• Landscape Promotion of heritage tourism with potential improvements to historic heritage assets and perception of the area New “street scene” agenda within North Ayrshire Council’s “Environment and Related Services” Improved integrated sustainable-transport linkages within the coastal park area Blue and green flag designations for key areas

THREATS (Evolution without the Plan)

Unsympathetic siting and design – impact on landscape

Table 2: Strengths-Weakness-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) Analysis for the Proposed Coastal Park

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Table 2 highlights that North Ayrshire Council’s new “Street Scene Services” have a

remit to promote maintenance and naturalness within the coastal park area. This can

assist the opportunities for a proposed park to aim towards Blue and Green Flag

awards (see Appendix B and C). The lack of connectivity between Irvine and the

three towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston is largely due to the Control of

Major Accident Hazards (CoMah) designation along Ardeer Peninsula; to protect the

public from any potential hazard associated with industrial works in this area. The

park would undoubtedly benefit from the promotion of naturalness and it is

considered that aligning naturalness with maintenance and flood prevention would be

of significant benefit, not just for the environment but social and economic reasons

also.

ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES With reference to the SWOT analysis and the screening process (above), a facilitated

discussion with the steering group identified the following environmental objectives:

1. Identify, preserve and enhance where possible, the proposed coastal park’s

best ecological assets

2. Assess the possibility of natural flood prevention i.e. sand dunes

3. Avoid or mitigate areas at significant risk to human health from soil quality

4. Avoid excessive maintenance costs through the use of ecosystem services

5. Improve integrated sustainable-transport linkages within the coastal park area

6. Work towards blue flag designations for beaches at Irvine, South Beach

(Ardrossan) and Saltcoats (for notes on Blue Flag Beaches, see Appendix A)

7. Work towards Green open spaces that matches “green flag” criteria

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PROPOSED ASSESSMENT

Table 1 lists the objectives outlined above and, in turn, provides a narrative to each

as to how they will be assessed. Aligned to this is Box 1, which describes the

methodology to address avoiding excessive maintenance costs for the park.

BOX 1: EASE AND EFFECT MATRIX

The method proposed to identify this is taken from another environmental

assessment methodology, used extensively in carbon management; a matrix that

scores ease and effect of implementation.

“EASE” of

implementation

Cost (capital and revenue) Cost (staff time) Staff support Technical practicality

“EFFECT” of

implementation

Environmental benefit Galvanising/engaging staff support Public awareness

Fig. 2: The Definitions of Ease and Effect of Implementation of Proposed Environmental Actions of the Proposed Coastal Park. The actions are assigned a box number where 1 is the easiest to achieve with the highest effect and 9 is the hardest

to achieve with the lowest effect

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

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Fig. 3: The Matrix Assessing Ease and Effect. A Score of “1” Would Highlight an

Action with Easiest Implementation while Providing Greatest Effect

EFFECT

EASE

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TABLE 2: PROPOSED ASSESSMENT for EACH OF THE COASTAL PARK OBJECTIVES

Environmental Objective Proposed Assessment Methodology

1. Identify, preserve and

enhance where possible, the

proposed coastal park’s best

ecological assets

An examination of available data, available local knowledge and previous consultations

will provide a map-based identification of the best ecological assets. Where this

information is derived will be documented.

2. Work towards blue flag

designations for beaches at

Irvine, South Beach

(Ardrossan) and Saltcoats

For notes on Blue Flag Beaches, see Appendix B. A draft environmental beach-

management plan will be prepared which addresses these issues and all other criteria in

this environmental scoping report. It will be published alongside the publication of the

environmental report, for consultation.

3. Work towards Green open

spaces that matches “green

flag” criteria

To obtain the award the plan should clearly and adequately address all of the criteria for

Green Flags and any other relevant aspects of the park/green space’s management. For

notes on the Green Flag awards for green open spaces, see Appendix C.

4. Assess the possibility of

natural flood prevention i.e.

Dialogue with North Ayrshire Council’s flood prevention officer will provide expert opinion to

establish whether there are sites where natural flood prevention techniques can improve

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sand dunes upon current or proposed flood prevention measures.

5. Avoid or mitigate areas at

significant risk to human

health from soil quality

i. Identify within the coastal park area the sites with the greatest risk of potential

contaminated land.

ii. Identify the importance of these sites to the strategic priorities for the coastal park

iii. For those have high strategic importance quantify risk according to established

UK standards, in liaison with NAC’s environmental protection service and SEPA

iv. From this risk assessment, identify best available technique not exceeding

excessive cost (BATNEEC) for remediation of those sites by use of an “ease and

effect matrix” (Box 1); consider the possibility of phytoremediation to address the

promotion of “naturalness (see objective 4)

v. Finalise recommendations

6. Avoid excessive maintenance

costs through the use of

ecosystem services.

i. Identify opportunities for natural management throughout the coastal park through

expert consultation within the steering group and list as a table.

ii. Asses each of the options according to an “ease and effect” matrix (see Box 1) of

implementation and its effectiveness to the management of the site.

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iii. Compare best natural methods against existing human-based management

techniques to assess costs and benefits of each method; it is expected this too will

follow the matrix procedure highlighted in Box 1.

We would welcome the views of the consultation authorities on any options they feel should

be included in such a list. We would also welcome any key contacts within the consultation

authorities who would wish to engage in this selection process.

7. Improve integrated

sustainable-transport linkages

within the coastal park area

i. Identify key non-motorised transport nodes to the North, South and East of the

proposed Coastal Park Area

ii. Identify the key gaps and opportunities to link such transport nodes together from

North, South and East

iii. Address feasibility of connectedness of transport nodes, taking account of all

objectives above and the CoMAH zone within the area.

OUTPUT

The plan must be actively implemented and regularly reviewed. A financially sound

management of the park/green space must also be demonstrated. A draft

environmental management plan will therefore be prepared which addresses these

issues and all other criteria in this environmental scoping report. It will be published

alongside the publication of the environmental report, for consultation.

CONSULTATION

It is proposed that the completed environmental report and accompanying draft plan

will be released for full public consultation for a period of six weeks.

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APPENDIX A: RELEVANT ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

LEGISLATION SUMMARY OF PROVISION Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations 1994 SI 2716 Makes provisions to conserve natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 SI 1843 Amends 1994/2716 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

Conservation of Seals (Scotland) Order 2007 SSI 126

Bans killing, injuring or taking common seals in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, surrounding territorial waters and the territorial sea around the east coast of Scotland from Garron Point in the

north to Torness Point in the south.

Environment Act 1995 Establishes the Environment Agency and SEPA as the regulatory bodies for contaminated land, control of pollution, conservation or enhancement of the environment and fisheries.

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 Establishes a right to be on land for recreational, educational and some other purposes and cross

land (right to roam) if rights are exercised responsibly. Also details how rural and crofting organisations can buy land they are connected with.

Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004

Deals with the conserving biodiversity and protecting and enhancing Scotland’s natural features. Also amends rules on protecting certain birds, animals and plants.

Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002

Makes it illegal to hunt a wild mammal with a dog - eg fox and deer hunting - or for a landowner or occupier to knowingly allow another person to hunt a wild mammal with a dog, or to allow another

person to use the dog to hunt a wild mammal.

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Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 SI 69 Bans certain methods of killing or taking wild animals, including birds, and restricts the introduction and sale of certain non-native animals and plants. Also sets out the amended laws relating to public

rights of way.

LAND LEGISLATION

Animal By-Products (Scotland) Regulations 2003 SSI 411

Sets out health rules for dealing with animal by-products not intended for human consumption and restricts what may be done with such products.

Contaminated Land (Scotland) Regulations 2000 SI 178

Introduces a scheme for remedying contaminated land, identifies 'special sites' enforced by SEPA, remediation notices and their contents, and sets out the information to be held on a contaminated

land register maintained by local councils.

Designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2000 SSI 96

Designates the catchment and estuary of the River Ythan in Aberdeenshire as a nitrate vulnerable zone. Reinstates reference to the PEPFAA Code as statutory standard of good agricultural practice.

Designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 SSI 546

Designates a further nitrate vulnerable zone in Scotland and requires maps of it to be available for public inspection.

Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003 SSI 235

Amends the waste control regime to cover agricultural waste. Classifies landfill sites, details the permits needed to create and operate a landfill site, and the requirements for care after a site

closes.

Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989 SI 1263

Sets conditions and precautions for agricultural use of sludge from sewage plants or septic tanks, and specifies what records must be kept.

Control of Pesticides (Amendment) Regulations 1997 SI 188

Amends 1986/1510, explaining what the regulations cover, how to seize and dispose of pesticides and inform the public.

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WASTE

Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 c.14

Requires carriers of controlled waste to register with the Environment Agency or SEPA and outlines the penalties (including seizure and disposal) for vehicles shown to have been used for illegal waste

disposal.

Controlled Waste Regulations 1992 SI 588 Defines household, industrial and commercial waste for waste management licensing purposes.

Controlled Waste (Amendment) Regulations 1993 SI 566 Amends 1992/588 in relation to scrap metal.

Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations 1991 SI 1624

Introduces a registration system for carriers of controlled waste.

Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 SI 605

Amends 1991/1624 to update the procedure for applying for waste carriers registration.

Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 SI 2839

Imposes a duty of care on anyone who imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste to ensure it is not unauthorised or harmfully deposited, treated or disposed of; and

if transferred, is only given to an authorised person.

Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003 SSI 235

Make changes to the waste control regime to cover agricultural waste. Classifies landfill sites, details the permits needed to create and operate a landfill site, and the requirements for care after site

closure.

Landfill (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2003 SSI 343

Amends 2003/235 to clarify the definition of waste and enable the prosecution of Scottish Partnerships or partners of a Scottish Partnership committing an offence under 2003/235.

Special Waste Regulations 1996 SI 972 Provides a definition of 'special waste' in Scotland, to cover all hazardous waste, and regulates waste carriers by requiring them to complete and keep consignment notes.

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Special Waste (Amendment) Regulations 1996 SI 2019

Amends 1996/972 by defining special waste in Scotland, to cover all hazardous waste, and regulates waste carriers by requiring them to complete and keep consignment notes.

Special Waste (Amendment) Regulations 1997 SI 251 Amends 1996/972 to revise the qualifications and experience required to deal with special waste.

Special Waste (Scotland) Regulations 1997 SI 257

Establishes that managers of specified waste facilities operated by local councils who meet certain criteria should be treated as technically competent for special waste facilities.

Special Waste Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2004 SSI 112

Amends the 2004 regulations, defines special waste and sets out controls on labelling, packaging and separating it. Requires consignment notes to be used when special waste is transferred and

producers to keep registers of documents for at least 3 years.

Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 SI 890 (Adobe PDF - 275.8KB)

Establishes a legal framework and schemes for collecting, treating and recycling portable, industrial and vehicle batteries. Applies to all types of batteries except when used for military and space

equipment.

Waste Batteries (Scotland) Regulations 2009 SSI 247

Amends the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2000/323 to ban incinerating waste industrial and automotive batteries. Amends the Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003/235 to

ban waste industrial and automotive batteries from landfills.

Waste Management Licensing (Amendment) Regulations 1995 SI 288

Amends 1992/55 and 1994/1056 by classifying (along with other legislation) scrap metal as controlled waste for duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1995.

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Waste Management Licensing (Amendment) Regulations 1997 SI 2203

Amends 1994/1056 to state that someone who holds specified qualifications is 'technically competent' under waste management licencing regulations.

Waste Management Licensing Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2003 SSI 171

Amends 1994/1056 to redefine an environmental licence, sets out qualifications required to manage activities covered by waste management licences. Also covers registering exemptions like land

treatment and land reclamation and building waste storage.

Waste Management Licensing Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2004 SSI 275

Amends 1994/1056 to set out waste management licensing exemptions for activities including storing and spreading sludge, land reclamation, recovery operations at sewage treatment works, and

composting biodegradable waste.

Waste Management Licensing (Water Environment) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 SSI 128

Amends 1994/1056 to align it with regulations to control activities affecting the water environment in Scotland.

Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2005 SSI 22

Extends 'controlled waste' to cover mine, quarry and agricultural waste. Categorises waste as household, industrial or commercial. Requires anyone involved in the deposit, disposal or recovery of

mine, quarry or agricultural waste to be authorised.

WATER

Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2008 SSI 298 (Adobe PDF - 147KB)

Sets out requirements to protect waters against nitrate pollution from agricultural sources. Requires farms in NVZs to prepare an annual fertiliser and manure management plan and defines closed

periods when manure/fertiliser must not be applied.

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Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2008 SSI 394 (Adobe PDF - 42KB)

Amends 2008/298 to correct minor errors to include storing livestock manure other than slurry or solid manure. Sets limits and conditions for applying nitrogen or chemical fertiliser and organic

manure and restricts one slurry application method.

Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2009 SSI 447

Partially revokes 2008/394 and brings together changes to how derogated farms have to manage fertiliser and manure. Requires them to keep additional records particularly of phosphate figures.

Conservation of Salmon (Prohibition of Sale) (Scotland) Regulations 2002 SSI 418

Makes it an offence to sell or offer to sell salmon or sea trout that has been caught using a rod. Gives powers of enforcement, entry, search and arrest to water bailiffs and other authorised

persons.

Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot) (Scotland) (No.2) Regulations 2004 SSI 358

Makes shooting with lead shot on or over wetlands in Scotland an offence punishable by fine.

Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003

Sets out which fishing methods are allowed and dates of salmon and trout fishing seasons. Details offences relating to and the administration of salmon and freshwater fisheries.

Waste Management Licensing (Water Environment) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 SSI 128

Amends Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 to align it with regulations to control activities affecting the water environment in Scotland.

Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 SSI 348

Authorises controlled activities such as discharges, abstractions, impoundments (dams and weirs) and engineering works in the water environment. Regulation of controlled activities may be through

general binding rules, registrations or licences.

Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 SSI 219

Amends 2005/348 to increase the number of controlled activities which may be carried out following the general binding rules.

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Water Environment (Diffuse Pollution) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 SSI 54

Amends 2003/532 and 2005/348 to add general binding rules to control diffuse pollution from: storage and application of fertiliser, keeping livestock, land cultivation, water run-off from drainage

systems, applying pesticides and sheep dip.

Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 SSI 133

Sets out standards for the design and installation of oil storage containers, and timescales for businesses to comply with the rules.

Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003

Sets out the duties and powers of public authorities to protect the water environment and to regulate potential polluting activities, and sets up river basin management districts.

APPENDIX 2: INFORMATION ON BLUE FLAG BEACHES

Blue Flag is a prestigious, international award scheme which acts as a guarantee to

tourists that a beach or marina they are visiting is one of the best in the world

(http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/Programmes/Beaches/BlueFlag/Default.aspx). It is

awarded to coastal destinations which have achieved the highest quality in water,

facilities, safety, environmental education and management. Over the years it has

acted as an incentive to many beach managers to improve the quality of the coast

and their hard work has led to a revival of the UK coastline and beaches around the

world. The number of beaches and marinas gaining Blue Flag status increases every

year – with 3,450 now displaying the quality indicator in 41 countries. The Blue Flag

programme is administered in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful on behalf of the

Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The criteria for Blue Flag Awards

are:

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION

• Information about the Blue Flag must be displayed

• Environmental education activities must be offered and promoted to beach users

• Information about bathing water quality must be displayed

• Information relating to local eco-systems and environmental phenomena must be displayed

• A map of the beach indicating different facilities must be displayed

• A code of conduct that reflects appropriate laws governing the use of the beach and surrounding areas must be displayed

WATER QUALITY

• The beach must fully comply with the water quality sampling and frequency requirements

• The beach must fully comply with the standards and requirements for water quality analysis

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• No industrial, waste-water or sewage-related discharges should affect the beach area

• The beach must comply with the Blue Flag requirements for the microbiological parameter faecal coli bacteria (E.coli) and intestinal enterococci/streptococci

• The beach must comply with the Blue Flag requirements for the following physical and chemical parameters

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

• The local authority/beach operator should establish a beach management committee

• The local authority/beach operator must comply with all regulations affecting the location and operation of the beach

• The beach must be clean

• Algae vegetation or natural debris should be left on the beach

• Waste disposal bins/containers must be available at the beach in adequate numbers and they must be regularly maintained

• Facilities for the separation of recyclable waste materials should be available at the beach

• An adequate number of toilet or restroom facilities must be provided

• The toilet or restroom facilities must be kept clean

• The toilet or restroom facilities must have controlled sewage disposal

• On the beach there will be no unauthorised camping or driving and no dumping

• Access to the beach by dogs and other domestic animals must be strictly controlled

• All buildings and beach equipment must be properly maintained

• Coral reefs in the vicinity of the beach must be monitored

• A sustainable means of transportation should be promoted in the beach area

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SAFETY AND SERVICES

• An adequate number of lifeguards and/or lifesaving equipment must be available at the beach

• First aid equipment must be available on the beach

• Emergency plans to cope with pollution risks must be in place

• There must be management of different users and uses of the beach so as to prevent conflicts and accidents

• There must be safety measures in place to protect users of the beach

• A supply of drinking water should be available at the beach

• At least one Blue Flag beach in each municipality must have access and facilities provided for the physically disabled

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APPENDIX 3: INFORMATION ON GREEN FLAG AWARDS

Green Flag is an established award for parks in England and Wales. It is currently

being trialled in Scotland (http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/GreenFlag/Default.aspx).

It requires that a management plan is in place which reflects the aspirations of

Local Agenda 21. The appropriate environmental criteria are:

(i) Clean and well maintained

For aesthetic as well as health and safety reasons, issues of cleanliness and

maintenance must be adequately addressed, in particular:

• Litter and other waste management

• The maintenance of grounds, buildings, equipment and other features

• A policy on litter, vandalism and maintenance should be in place, in practice and

regularly reviewed.

(ii) Sustainability

Methods used in maintaining the park/green space and its facilities should be

environmentally sound, relying on best practices available according to current

knowledge. Management should be aware of the range of techniques available to

them, and demonstrate that informed choices have been made and are regularly

reviewed. Parks/green spaces should:

• Have an environmental policy or charter and management strategy in place,

which is in practice and regularly reviewed

• Minimise and justify pesticide use

• Eliminate horticultural peat use

• Recycle waste plant material

• Demonstrate high horticultural and arboricultural standards

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• Have energy conservation, pollution reduction, waste recycling, and resource

conservation measures

(iii) Conservation and heritage

Particular attention should be paid to the conservation and appropriate

management of:

• Natural features, wildlife and fauna

• Landscapes

• Buildings and structural features

• These should serve their function well without placing undue pressure on the

surrounding environment