Identifying Bathing Waters
The list of Scottish bathing waters is required to be annually reviewed. This might lead to the addition of new sites or the removal of existing, but little used, bathing waters. In compiling the list Ministers are required to ensure that there is appropriate public engagement. How this is has/will be carried out is as follows:
Bathing Water Identification Group (2009 onwards)
For the 2009 season onwards, Scottish Ministers have requested that SEPA take the lead role in forming a group of interested stakeholders to annually assess the list of bathing waters and provide advice to Ministers. This group will ensure that there are appropriate opportunities for public involvement. The existing 2008 list was considered by the group ahead of the 2009 season. No new applications for designation were received and the group recommended that the 2009 list remain unchanged for 2009. The group will continue to seek applications in current years for the following year.
Bathing Water Review Panel (2005-08)
Scottish Ministers appointed Clean Coast Scotland in 2005 to establish the Bathing Water Review Panel. The Panel was tasked with identifying new bathing water sites and reviewing existing sites to determine whether they met the criteria of a designated bathing water. The Panel consisted of representatives from the Association of Scottish Community Councils, CoSLA, Scottish Environment LINK, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Scottish Government, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, Tourism Environment Forum and the Crown Estate.
During the 2005 bathing season, applications and appropriate evidence were received from the owner/operators of three sites that the Panel recommended to Ministers should be designated. These additional bathing waters - Broughty Ferry, Largs (Pencil Beach) and Longniddry - have been added to the list of designated sites for the 2006 bathing water season. No sites were de-designated. During 2006 this process was repeated and while no new sites were created, an existing site was split into two - Elie (Ruby Bay), Elie (Harbour) and Earlsferry - while three were delisted - Morar, Shell Bay and Turnberry for the 2007 season.
The process was repeated in 2007. Applications received by the Panel led to the creation of three new bathing waters - Achmelvich, Leven and Kirkcaldy (Seafield). One site, St. Abbs, was de-listed. The Panel also supported the designation of 17 other sites where there was evidence of usage, leading to an additional 20 sites being added for the 2008 bathing season. The 17 bathing waters were - Broad Sands, Culzean, Dhoon Bay, Findhorn, Heads of Ayr, Kinghorn (Harbour Beach), Loch Morlich, Lossiemouth (East), Lunan Bay, Lunderston Bay, Maidens, Mossyard, Rosemarkie, Seacliff, Seamill, Tentsmuir Sands, Thurso
How the public can get involved
For anyone aware of a bathing water that has appropriate usage of a peak of 150 people or more on a beach during a single day that has not been officially recognised, initial contact should be made through the SEPA led group. However, approaches to the Scottish Government direct are also welcomed.