First Three-year Progress Report on NW Inshore and Offshore Marine Plans Published.
This report reviews the progress made in meeting the aims of the North West Inshore and North West Offshore Marine Plan and the UK Marine Policy Statement.
The north west inshore marine plan area stretches from the Solway Firth border with Scotland to the River Dee border with Wales. The north west offshore marine plan area includes the area from 12 nautical miles extending out to the maritime borders with Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man. The North West Marine Plan was adopted on 23 June 2021.
The first three-year report shows that the North West Marine Plan remains broadly aligned with new and existing legislation and is becoming embedded within the planning and consenting process. The North West Marine Plan is showing some positive progress towards the High Level Marine Objectives (HLMOs), but more time is needed to identify clear trends and assess the effects and effectiveness of specific policies.
Following advice from the MMO, the North West Inshore and North West Offshore Marine Plan will be retained and not amended or replaced at this time.
The report was developed under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government. Whilst the report shows that the marine plan remains broadly aligned with new and existing legislation and is becoming embedded within the planning and consenting process, changes to policy under the current government may have occurred since preparation of the report.
To read the full report click here