ABSTRACT
Conservation strategy in coastal lands first requires identification and delimitation of particular resources for conservation. This involves survey and inventory of conservation resources, including the abundance and distribution of species and natural habitats comprising nature conservation areas, usually listed as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, or National Nature Reserves. The results of such inventory-taking must then be evaluated and incorporated in the national statutory planning framework and other nonstatutory consultation systems which enable account to be taken of conservation aims. This framework includes the system of statutory development plans and associated national planning guidelines, planning advice notes and also the consultative mechanisms between national agencies which have evolved in relation to Section 66 of the Countryside Act (Scotland) whereby those agencies are bound to have regard for the beauty of the countryside. A third element of conservation involves development of techniques for effective impact appraisal and incorporation of protective measures for the environment within the development process.
