Option Appraisal

Initially, a long list comprised of 21 different options for providing flood risk protection to the frontage within Stonehaven Bay was developed. The frontage was separated into 3 separate benefit zones, which can be viewed in the map below. The initial list was screened in order to determine which of the options could be applicable to each benefit zone; the details of this screening are also provided below. This information was presented to stakeholders and the public at an evening event held in Stonehaven on 29 January 2019. Following the event, comments were received from a number of local residents, Councilors and Stonehaven Flood Action Group.

Benefit Zone Map

Initial Screening

The potential options for each benefit zone were subsequently assessed against a range of criteria in order to reduce the number of options down to a short list for each geographical area. The criteria assessed and the aims of each are summarised below, along with the assessment for each zone and a summary of the scoring system.

Category	Assessment criteria	Aims
Technical	Technical performance and adaptability	Provides desired standard of protection throughout the design life of the scheme or is easily adaptable to allow for modifications for climate change through time. Provides protection to full extent of benefit zone.
Technical	Buildability	Safe to construct, local sources of appropriate material for construction, suitable ground conditions and would not conflict with existing services, primarily the sewer main along the front.
Economic	Capital cost	Low capital cost.
Economic	Maintenance and monitoring	Minimal ongoing maintenance and/or monitoring requirements and costs.
Environmental	Ecology and environment	No environmental impact on local habitats, geology and ecology, including local designations.
Environmental	NFM and RBMP	Works with nature to provide natural protection and does not downgrade the existing classifications.
Social	Landscape and Heritage	Works with the existing landscape and is sensitive to listed buildings and heritage designations.
Social	Tourism	Maintains access to beaches, considers local views and provides connectivity along the frontage.
Political	Strategic alignment	Aligns with local strategies.
Political	Stakeholder views	Supported by stakeholders and the local community.
Legal	Waste management and contamination	Minimal waste disposal requirements or contamination risks.
Legal	Regulatory consenting and approvals	Regulatory framework would be readily achievable.

Score	Description
1	Option has significant potential to negatively affect achievement of aims
2	Option likely to conflict with aims
3	Option not likely to contribute or conflict with aims
4	Option likely to contribute to achieving aims
5	Option has significant potential to meet aims

North Zone

Central Zone

Harbour Zone

The shortlisted options taken forward for each benefit zone are summarised below:

North Benefit Zone	Central Benefit Zone	Harbour Benefit Zone
Replace sea wall	Replace sea wall	New stepped/sloping revetment (inner harbour)
Raise existing sea wall	Beach recharge and control structures (may include raising of hard defences)	Advance the line with new sea wall (inner harbour)
Raise sea wall plus rock armour		Managed realignment (S harbour only)
Beach recharge and control structures (may include raising of hard defences)		Extend rock armour revetment (N and S harbour only)

Each of these subsequently underwent a detailed economic appraisal in order to define the preferred option for each section of the frontage.