Marine Planning Issues with Supporting Evidence

Areas which are currently subject to an Exploration and Option Agreement are protected through current aggregates policies. However, these areas may come under pressure from the increasing expansion of energy infrastructure to support energy security, and there is a continued need to safeguard such areas. 

In light of weakened language in the National Planning Policy Framework, more support is needed for minerals and waste plans to protect existing and future safeguarded aggregates landing/processing sites, and to enhance marine and terrestrial integration. 

The updated mapping of Key Resource Area is vital to the effectiveness of marine plan aggregates policies. The outputs from recent surveying in the region from the Humber to the English Channel are due to be published in 2024. 

The aquaculture licensing process is complex, which may present a barrier to new aquaculture developments. Additionally, the current marine licensing exemption on shellfish farming poses difficulties for monitoring the efficacy of marine plan policies. 

Access to ports and harbours in the east inshore marine plan area may present a challenge to the aquaculture industry. Specific challenges include the size of some ports and harbours, a potential lack of integration with other industries (for example fisheries) and an absence of data on port infrastructure. 

Water quality poses significant challenges for the aquaculture industry. For example, it can affect whether there are the right conditions for growth of various species, as well as limiting the export of shellfish (for example to the EU).

Co-location with other sectors, primarily offshore wind, presents a significant challenge. 

There is an opportunity for oil and gas infrastructure re-use in the east marine plan areas. 

There is an opportunity for carbon capture and storage sites in the east marine plan areas. 

There is a lack of strategic join up between sites where there is demand for sediments for beneficial use and supply created by dredging operations, acting as a barrier to the effective use of sediments. 

Barriers to beneficial use of dredged material include increased licensing processing time (causing a disconnect between when dredging occurs and when sediment can be used), increased technical complexity and regulatory requirements (for example, needing to complete Habitats Regulation Assessments) and increased costs relative to offshore disposal. 

To use dredged material for beneficial purposes or to return material to its source area (for example, in the case of sand levelling for cable burial), a full disposal site designation is required. This includes full sediment sampling requirements and creates a barrier to disposal of sediments at new sites. 

There are several proposals for interconnectors and offshore energy cable landing sites along the east coast, which poses environmental and socioeconomic challenges for the affected areas. 

Coastal erosion and flooding are a major challenge for local councils and communities which border the east inshore marine plan area. Local authorities are improving flood defences as an immediate action across the entire coastline.   

Safeguarding of landing sites and infrastructure was weakened in the new National Planning Policy Framework. More support is needed for minerals and waste plans to protect existing and future safeguarded landing sites. 

Decommissioning oil and gas platforms pose both opportunities and challenges. Decommissioning strategies need to be adopted which ensure future co-location with industries such as carbon capture and storage is possible. Additionally, decommissioning should consider the biodiversity implications of different strategies. 

New oil and gas developments (for example, as per the 33rd round of licensing) may conflict spatially with other marine activities in the east marine plan areas and in particular offshore wind infrastructure. New developments may also cause significant underwater noise, posing environmental challenges. 

Oil and gas platforms may be co-located with the hydrogen and carbon capture and storage sectors in the future, presenting an opportunity for the sector. 

The ports and shipping industry is working towards decarbonisation to help meet net zero targets. This involves the adoption of alternative fuels (currently being investigated) and the adaptation of port infrastructure to support this.  

There is competition for space with the growing need for offshore wind developments, with a number either applied for or consented in the east. This places pressures on shipping routes and has safety implications for vessels. Displacement of shipping lanes may occur. 

The deployment and operation of offshore wind requires adaptation of port infrastructure, creating both challenges and opportunities for the sector (for example Great Yarmouth port). 

Competition for space with other sectors, particularly fisheries, is an important challenge. Where possible, opportunities for co-existence with other sectors (for example for certain types of fisheries to exist within offshore wind developments) should be explored. 

The development of wind energy projects in the east marine plan areas will present opportunities for regeneration of port facilities and the development of a skilled workforce. 

Aspects of offshore wind developments (for example onshore substations) can have negative visual impacts on the seascape and/or landscape. In turn, this may present socioeconomic challenges to the affected area, such as impacts on tourism. 

Scaling up hydrogen production, transport and storage is expected to attract new employment and investment. In the east, this is planned to be delivered in clusters. 

The development of this emerging sector is dynamic and regulation on the production, transport, storage and usage of hydrogen is still being developed creating uncertainty within the sector.  

Both hydrogen technologies (blue and green) are in the early stages of development, with few projects currently engaged in the planning process. Growth of the hydrogen sector is somewhat dependent on developments in the carbon capture usage and storage CCUS and offshore wind sectors. The development of both hydrogen technologies is also dependent on policy decisions related to funding, regulation and government incentives.  

UK government policy is to increase nuclear fission power generation capacity to 24 GW by 2050. This target aims to improve energy security and help the UK meet its net zero requirement. In the east of England, the construction of 2 new reactors at the Sizewell site (Sizewell C) creates a variety of opportunities and challenges. 

Nuclear developments can create employment opportunities in rural, coastal areas. It is estimated that in 2023, ~ 83,000 people were employed in the nuclear industry (civil and defence) in the UK. In the east of England, substantial employment is, and will be, associated with the Sizewell site. 

Although sited on land, coastal nuclear developments may include associated infrastructure such as harbours, jetties and water intake/outfall structures. The marine footprint of coastal nuclear power stations may create competition for space with other marine and coastal sectors.