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.