Marine Bill
11-06-08
It is currently subject to a public consultation, which closes on June 26, as well as pre-legislative scrutiny by a joint Parliamentary committee.
The Bill aims to improve sustainable development of the UK shoreline and coastal region, meaning certain areas of the coastline being off-limits to developers, but the development of many offshore renewable energy installations could be speeded up.
A Marine Policy Statement will set out the government's long-term objectives for the marine area around the UK, against which planning applications can be determined. A series of marine plans will also be produced setting a more detailed policy at a local level.
The Bill should simplify the licensing of wind, wave and tidal projects of 100MW or less in output, with only one application process to consider all aspects of a proposed project.
At the moment, marine renewable electricity projects need approval under the Electricity Act (1989), a licence under the Food and Environment Protection Act (1985) and some also consent under the Coast Protection Act. These applications are determined by the Marine and Fisheries Agency. The Marine Bill seeks a single process whereby a licence is determined through the Electricity Act procedure only.
A new, independent Marine Management Organisation (MMO), operating from a network of coastal offices, will be set up to act as a "one stop shop" centre of information to help process licences for marine developments.
Large-scale renewable energy projects - above 100MW in output - will be determined by the Independent Planning Commission, as established by the Planning Bill.
Many aspects of the Bill, including the scope of the MMO, will cater only for English waters, with devolved administrations responsible for their own offshore territories.
New marine planning rules will stretch to England and Wales, with most of the reforms to marine licensing also taking in Northern Ireland. The Marine Policy Statement will include the whole of the UK, but restricted in content and impact in Scotland.
