England’s first Marine Plan areas announced

The two areas are between Flamborough Head in East Riding of Yorkshire to Felixstowe in Suffolk (known formally as East Inshore and East Offshore).

The MMO is a non-departmental public body created in April 2010 as a result of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. It is the champion of sustainable development in the seas around England, bringing together key marine decision making powers and delivery mechanisms to provide an integrated system of planning, regulating and licensing activity in the marine area.‪

The two area plans announced will be the first in a series that will, over the coming years, grow to become a comprehensive marine planning system around England, enabling the effective integration of economic, social and environmental factors and promoting the sustainable development of English waters. The Marine Planning System is also intended to have significant benefits for local communities and the national economy.

The decision marks a major delivery milestone for the MMO in implementing the provisions of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and the Government’s vision for clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. The MMO is the first organisation in the world to develop an integrated planning system for the marine area, mirroring the terrestrial planning regime, which has, over 60 years, become an established and trusted mechanism for integrating and balancing land use.

Steve Brooker, the MMO’s head of marine planning said, ‘England’s marine area is extremely crowded in terms of existing activities and the pressure and competition for space are going to increase. Marine planning will enable the MMO and others to balance and integrate the vast range of competing activities and aspirations. As a country, we can then take informed decisions about the development of our sea area and our priorities, based on shared understanding, a common baseline and sound evidence.’

In taking forward marine plans from April 2011, the MMO will engage closely with the work of local authorities, coastal forums and communities to determine and agree how all those with an interest in the sustainable use of the seas can best contribute to the initiative.