Hansard

Marine Spatial Planning

Volume 686: debated on Wednesday 8 November 2006

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Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they support the concept of marine spatial planning; and whether they envisage involving regional and local authorities in such a system.[HL8030]

The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(Lord Rooker)

In 2005, the Labour Party manifesto committed to introduce a new framework for the seas based on marine spatial planning. The Government remain very supportive of this concept, which we plan to take forward through a marine Bill.

It will be important that regional and local authorities are involved in such a system to ensure that new marine proposals are integrated with planning processes on land. This is being considered as part of policy development, following the outcome of a public consultation which is available on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marinebill/index.htm.