LPAs told to work closely with Marine Management Organisation

Local planning authorities should forge relations with the new Marine Management Organisation to deal effectively with shoreline matters, a consultation on managing the seas has said.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has issued the consultation on marine planning and licensing policy, which environment minister Richard Benyon said would also give coastal communities a voice in the future uses of the marine environment.

He said: “The new systems for marine planning and marine licensing are a real opportunity to improve the way we manage our seas. They will create the framework for consistent marine planning and decision making, and will contribute to the sustainable development of the UK marine area.”

Defra urged the MMO to “build sound relationships with planning authorities including local authorities, relevant National Park authorities, the Broads Authority, and regulators involved in statutory planning at a national and subnational level to ensure early involvement in the process”

Local planning authorities should be involved fully throughout the preparation of plans so as to “integrate management of the sea with land at the coast”.

But while there is no obligation on planners to make local development plans compatible with a marine plan – although they must consult the MMO - the MMO is required to “take reasonable steps to ensure that the plan is compatible with any development plan or Wales Spatial Plan for any area which is affected by, or in, adjoins or is adjacent to the marine plan area”.

Consultation runs until 13 October. A copy of the paper can be downloaded here.