'Marine sources are increasingly required to meet the overall demand for aggregates, said Metoc's Chris Mooij. 'Our experience and expertise in the marine environment enables us to support applicants through the highly regulated extraction license process. The Government's guidelines require a Scoping Study, EIA and Coastal Impact Study. Our services have been specifically designed to reduce risks and ensure compliance across all these areas.'

Some 21% of the sand and gravel used in England and Wales is supplied by the marine aggregates industry and in the South East, 33% of the sand and gravel used in construction comes from the seabed. There are currently over 70 production licenses winning some 22m tons of material per annum.

Aggregates on the seabed of UK territorial waters are owned by the Crown Estate, which grants extraction licenses and charges a royalty for each ton dredged.

Licenses cover 0.12% of the UK Continental Shelf, of which only 12% is actively dredged each year.

Marine licensing follows review by the ODPM for each application.

This process requires comprehensive EIA and extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders in a process which typically takes up to 10 years. Before making a decision, the ODPM consults scientific advisors over extraction conditions such as coastal processes, fisheries, marine life and archaeology.

MJInformation No: 21817