However the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 places a legal duty on Councils to deliver a local plan in response to the significant risks of coastal erosion and flooding identified for Scotland. The Scottish Government published new Coastal Change Adaptation Planning (CCAP) Guidance in February 2023. This guidance promotes a proactive approach to planning for our coastline and encourages all local authorities to develop a CCAP
A report to Council Executive next week provides an update on the Coastal Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP) project and seeks approval to finalise the draft Regional Plan.
Councillors are also being asked to approve a public consultation on both the Regional Plan and the forthcoming Coastal Adaptation Plan.
The project is funded by a specific Scottish Government Coastal Change Adaptation Fund to support local authorities across Scotland in preparing Coastal Change Adaptation Plans (CCAPs) and delivering resilience actions. A total of £11.7 million has been committed between 2022 and 2026, with funding distributed according to the level of coastal risk, as well as through targeted case studies and surveys.
Lower-risk authorities, with shorter or less exposed coastlines, received smaller allocations. West Lothian was allocated £100,000 which reflects our position as a low-risk coastal authority, with fewer assets at immediate risk.
The development of a Coastal Change Adaptation Plan is a significant and proactive step in meeting our statutory climate duties and, most importantly, in safeguarding West Lothian's coastal communities, assets, and natural environment from the increasing impacts of climate change. The development of a Coastal Change Adaptation Plan is a significant and proactive step in meeting our statutory climate duties and, most importantly, in safeguarding West Lothian.
