What assessment has been undertaken of any effects of rising sea level on the coastline and whether any action to mitigate the effects of r…

Future sea level rise and its implications for Scotland were covered in the Scottish Executive's report Climate Change: Scottish Implications Scoping Study which I launched in December last year. In addition, Scottish Natural Heritage has commissioned further work on the implications of sea level rise for Scotland, the report on which they plan to publish later this year. The Executive have also just commissioned further research which includes consideration of the implications of sea level rise on coastal flooding which will inform its consideration on the effects of rising sea levels.More locally, in 1999 research was undertaken by SNH in liaison with the Forth Estuary Forum to investigate, among other things, the issue of sea level rise in the Firth of Forth. The forum is currently considering how best to take forward the findings of the study.National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 7: Planning and Flooding, published in 1995, provides guidance on the action which might be taken against the possibility of rising sea levels and storm tide surges affecting new developments.The primary responsibility for safeguarding land from encroachment by the sea, including coastal flooding, lies with the landowner. It is for them, together with local authorities and other interested parties, to consider any action that is required based on predictions of likely sea level rise. To date we are unaware of any strong drive by landowners or local authorities to address concerns about sea level rise and have not received any request for financial support in this context.