Planning – Application Comments

Consultation Date: Mon 17 Jun 2024

Consultation Date: Mon 17 Jun 2024

Consultation Date: Mon 17 Jun 2024

Consultation Date: Mon 17 Jun 2024

Consultation Date: Mon 17 Jun 2024

Consultation Date: Mon 17 Jun 2024

Comment Date: Tue 09 Jul 2024

Lawrence Road EDG24.001-FRSR-035.pdf

Comment Date: Wed 19 Jun 2024

Marine Licensing
Lancaster House
Hampshire Court
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 7YH T +44 (0)300 123 1032
F +44 (0)191 376 2681
www.gov.uk/mmo








Dear Sir / Madam,

Thank you for including the MMO in your recent consultation submission.


Marine Licensing

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 provides that a marine licence is required for certain activities carried out within the UK marine area. The MMO is responsible for marine licensing in English waters and for Northern Ireland offshore waters. Information about the need for a marine licence can be found on our 'do I need a marine licence?' page.
The MMO makes marine licence decisions in accordance with the appropriate marine policy documents (Marine Policy Statement and adopted Marine Plans). In deciding an application, we must consider all relevant matters including the need to:
' protect the environment
' protect human health
' prevent interference with legitimate uses of the sea
Information about the marine licence process can be found here. In addition, information about timeframes and fees can be seen here.

Issued marine licences as well as ongoing marine licence applications can be accessed using the Explore Marine Plans online service (opens in Chrome). It is also possible to search for a particular case, filter by an area or to see applications currently undergoing consultation using the MMO public register. In most cases the register displays application information and supporting information.

If you require further information regarding any application or marine licence you can contact the licensing team via our email marine.consents@marinemanagement.org.uk or telephone us on 0300 123 1032.

Marine Planning

All public authorities taking authorisation or enforcement decisions that affect or might affect the UK Marine Area must do so in accordance with the appropriate marine policy documents unless relevant considerations indicate otherwise. Where a marine plan is in effect for the area, it is considered the appropriate marine policy document, unless relevant considerations indicate otherwise. For marine plan areas where a marine plan is not currently in place, public authorities must refer to the Marine Policy Statement as the appropriate Marine Planning document.

The East Inshore and Offshore Marine Plans, covering the coast and seas from Flamborough Head to Felixstowe, were published on 2nd April 2014.

The South Inshore and Offshore Marine Plans, covering the coast and seas from Folkestone to the River Dart in Devon, were published on 17th July 2018.

For further information on how to implement Plan Policies please visit the Explore Marine Plans online service.

The MMO is currently in the process of developing marine plans for the remaining 7 marine plan areas by 2021. These are the North East Inshore and Offshore Marine Plans, the North West Inshore and Offshore Marine Plans, the South East Inshore Marine Plan and the South West Inshore and Offshore Marine Plans. These plans will become a material consideration once they are issued for public consultation.

Wildlife Licence

A wildlife licence may be required if you want to carry out an activity that would affect a UK or European Protected Species (EPS). It is likely that the use of drilling, explosives to detonate unexploded ordnance (UXOs) or the deployment of acoustic deterrent devices (ADDs) would require a wildlife licence.

Wildlife licences required in connection with oil and gas operations will usually be determined by The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). More information about the MMO role in determining wildlife licences can be found on our Understand marine wildlife licences and report an incident page. If you have any queries regarding wildlife licences not issued by BEIS you can contact the MMO Marine Conservation Team: conservation@marinemanagement.org.uk.

Commercial fisheries and other marine users

The MMO advises that the applicant consults the local Harbour Master and issues a Notice to Mariners at least 5 days prior to undertaking works as best practice. The MMO also advise that UKHO and the MCA are advised of the works:

UK Hydrographic Office: The Source Data Receipt team, UK Hydrographic Office, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 2DN (sdr@ukho.gov.uk) Tel: 01823 337900)

Marine Coastguard Agency: HM Coastguard (nmoccontroller@hmcg.gov.uk)

The MMO also advise that the relevant Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) is consulted and, to ensure appropriate coverage within the fishing industry, placing a notice in a suitable publication, such as Fishing News, is recommended.

If the works are large scale / over 8 weeks, then it may be appropriate to engage a Fisheries Liaison Officer (FLO) to facilitate discussions between the applicant and the fishing community.

There may be byelaws in place for fisheries management measures within the activity area. The MMO makes byelaws in English inshore waters (0-12nm) to protect European marine sites (EMS) and marine conservation zones (MCZs) from activities that may harm them. The MMO leads on management between 6-12nm, with the IFCA leading in the 0-6nm area.

Current byelaws issued by the MMO can be found at: www.gov.uk/guidance/marine-conservation-byelaws.

For current byelaws issued by the IFCA please contact the relevant IFCA directly.

For any other queries please contact the MMO Marine Conservation Team: conservation@marinemanagement.org.uk.

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If you wish to contact the MMO regarding our response please email us at marine.consents@marinemanagement.org.uk or telephone us on 0300 123 1032.

Kind regards
The Marine Management Organisation