'Many inland marinas have huge problems too, because even when they are finally allowed to dredge, it is impossible to obtain permission to dispose of the dredged material, ' he explained.

'The government promised what it likes to call 'joined up government' on issues such as this, ' said Bourne, 'which, theoretically, should mean that a marina would only have to deal with a single agency or authority, but this hasn't happened, and marinas have to deal with multiple departments.'

Bourne cited the example of the proposed marina at Gallows Point at Beaumaris, North Wales, but said he believed that there were many others like it that had waited months and months for a decision about whether they could carry out much-needed dredging work.

The developers of Beaumaris marina have been waiting 12 months for a decision from DEFRA on a licence to dredge, even though they received planning permission some time ago.

The Anglesey Boat Company (ABC) in Gwynned, which wants to develop the marina at Gallows Point, submitted a licence application to DEFRA to carry out dredging work at the site of the new marina last March.

The £8 million project could see a new marina with 450 berths and moorings constructed by the first quarter of 2006. ABC says it hopes to begin work at the site later this year, but cannot do so until the licence has been granted.

A Section 106 initial planning agreement required by the Welsh Assembly has been completed and planning permission was formally granted in January 2003, although the approval included a number of conditions designed to ensure that construction and operation of the marina has a minimal impact on the environment.

Assuming that the project goes ahead in its current form, ABC will build the 400 plus-berth marina at Beaumaris on the Menai Strait, the scheme being modeled on the marina at nearby Pwllheli.