ARCHIVE: Marine Planning

The marine planning system

The UK Government is currently developing a system of marine planning as provided for in the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009). Marine planning will contribute to the effective management of marine activities and more sustainable use of our marine resources. It will create the framework for consistent and evidence based decision-making offering certainty about Government policy intentions.

Learn more about marine planning in our latest newsletter Issue 2: March 2010 (PDF 217KB).

There are two stages to the marine planning system, the Marine Policy Statement (MPS) and marine planning.

The Marine Policy Statement

The first stage to the Marine planning system is the Marine Policy Statement (MPS).

Pre-Consultation on the draft UK Marine Policy Statement

The MPS will be the first step in new systems of marine planning being introduced around the UK. It will provide the high level policy context within which Marine Plans will be developed, and set the direction for marine licensing and other authorisation systems. Find out more about MPS.

You are invited to contribute your views and comments on the draft MPS and supporting outline Impact Assessment by,

email: England: mps@defra.gsi.gov.uk, Wales: marine@wales.gsi.gov.uk, Scotland: anna.donald@scotland.gsi.gov.uk, Northern Ireland: marineteam@doeni.gov.uk

writing to: Marine Planning Team, Area 2C, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London. SW1P 3JR

The pre-consultation period closes on 7 May 2010. A formal consultation on the MPS and supporting policy documents will take place in summer 2010.

Getting involved

A Statement of Public Participation (SPP) (PDF 471KB) was first issued in December 2009, and has been updated to reflect the plan for continued engagement on the development of the Marine Policy Statement. The SPP highlights the ways in which anyone interested in our seas can get involved in the development of the Marine Policy Statement.

Also prepared is a list (PDF 94KB) of all the organisations with an interest in the marine environment who we will consult as we develop the Marine Policy Statement. If you would like to be added to this list please contact us at mps@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Our aim is to consult on the draft Marine Policy Statement during summer 2010 and to finalise it by spring 2011.

Marine plans

The second stage will consist of a series of Marine plans being developed that will interpret and present the national policies within the Marine Policy Statement and apply area specific policy, spatially where appropriate, within marine plan areas.

Marine plans must be consistent with the Marine Policy Statement, ensuring a strong link between national policy and local application.

The  Marine Policy Statement and marine plans will guide and direct decisions in the marine environment. Marine plans will be a source of information, which developers and other marine industries can use when considering where and how they might carry out activities. They will also guide the licensing and enforcement decisions made by public authorities.

The intention is to achieve consistency, where these operators and regulators in a given area are steered by the same plan. Marine businesses will benefit from the plans bringing about a reduced regulatory burden and more joined up licensing system.

Marine plan areas consultation: 17 November 2009 - 16 February 2010. The consultation sought views on the proposed marine plan area boundaries for English inshore and offshore regions and the criteria for selecting the order in which the Marine Management Organisation should begin planning within those regions.  A summary of responses will be published within three months.

Further information on marine planning can be found of the Marine Fisheries Agency website.

Page last modified: 16 April 2010
Page published: 16 July 2009