Marine planning

For the first time, the Act will enable marine activities to be planned in a strategic way. The new system must ensure:

• A forward looking, comprehensive UK-wide Marine Policy Statement (MPS) jointly agreed by the UK Government and devolved administrations, to guide decisions in the marine environment

• An ecosystem-based approach to marine planning that ensures space for wildlife

• Thorough appraisal of the MPS and marine plans to ensure that developments do not push the natural environment beyond its limits

• Plans for allUKwaters not just selected areas, particularly once parallel legislation is in place for inshore waters in Scotland and Northern Ireland

• A system that works well across marine and coastal boundaries between England, Wales, Scotlandand Northern Irelandand that integrates land-use plans with marine plans.