MMO approves Southampton works

ABP Southampton applied for licences to carry out capital dredging to deepen berths 201 and 202 and to construct an improved quay wall, to support the revised berths.

The works comprise part of a project listed at Annex II of the Directive 85/337EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive.

The EIA Directive has been transposed into UK law for marine works, including works requiring a marine licence under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MACA) consent by the Marine Works (EIA) Regulations 2007 (as amended) (MWR). The applications made to the Marine Management Organisation were supported by a revised environmental statement (ES) and additional supporting information as required by regulation 12 of the MWR.

In February 2011, the MMO decided in favour of the berth 201 and 202 proposal, but DLA Piper, acting for Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, challenged the MMO and the decision was withdrawn. The new decision follows reconsideration by the MMO of the berths 201 and 202 applications and a revised environmental statement.

“We, as the appropriate authority and the regulator, endorse the findings of the environmental statement and, subject to the inclusion of the licence conditions, are of the opinion that the project will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment”, the MMO concluded.