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Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009

Type Public General Act

Publication 2009-11-12

Last updated 2026-03-25

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

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Part 1 — The Marine Management Organisation

Chapter 1 — Establishment

Marine policy statement

1

(1) There is to be a body known as the Marine Management Organisation (“the MMO”).

(2) The MMO is to have the functions conferred on it by or under this Act or any other enactment.

(3) Schedule 1 contains further provisions about the MMO.

(4) Schedule 2 contains minor and consequential amendments relating to the MMO.

General objective

2

(1) It is the duty of the MMO to secure that the MMO functions are so exercised that the carrying on of activities by persons in the MMO's area is managed, regulated or controlled—

(a) with the objective of making a contribution to the achievement of sustainable development (see subsections (2) and (4) to (11)),

(b) taking account of all relevant facts and matters (see subsection (3)), and

Any reference in this Act to the MMO's “general objective” is a reference to the duty imposed on the MMO by this subsection.

(2) In pursuit of its general objective, the MMO may take any action which it considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of furthering any social, economic or environmental purposes.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), the facts and matters that may be taken into account include each of the following—

(a) scientific evidence, whether available to, or reasonably obtainable by, the MMO;

(b) other evidence so available or obtainable relating to the social, economic or environmental elements of sustainable development;

See also section 24 (powers of MMO in relation to research).

(4) The Secretary of State is to give the MMO guidance as to the manner in which the MMO is to seek to secure that the contribution to the achievement of sustainable development mentioned in subsection (1)(a) is made (and see also section 38 (guidance)).

(5) In preparing any such guidance the Secretary of State must take into consideration—

(a) the functions of the MMO, and

(b) the resources available, or likely to be available, to the MMO.

(6) A draft of any guidance proposed to be given under this section is to be laid before each House of Parliament.

(7) Guidance is not to be given under this section until after the end of the period of 40 days beginning with—

(a) the day on which a draft of the guidance is so laid, or

(b) if the draft is laid on different days, the later of the two days.

(8) If, within that period, either House resolves that the guidance, the draft of which was laid before it, should not be given, the Secretary of State must not give that guidance.

(9) In reckoning any period of 40 days for the purposes of subsection (7) or (8), no account is to be taken of any time during which—

(a) Parliament is dissolved or prorogued, or

(b) both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.

(10) The Secretary of State must publish, in such manner as the Secretary of State may determine, any guidance given to the MMO under this section.

(11) The MMO must provide any person on request with a copy of the whole or any part of any such guidance.

(12) In this section—

“consistent and co-ordinated” includes taking into account the effect (if any) that decisions in respect of—any particular part of the MMO's area, orthe carrying on of any activity within that area,will have on any other part of that area or the carrying on of any other activity in that area;

“evidence” includes predictions and other opinions resulting from the consideration of evidence by any person;

“the MMO's area” means those parts of the UK marine area, or of the United Kingdom, where MMO functions are exercisable;

“MMO functions” means functions exercisable by or on behalf of the MMO.

Byelaws: compensation

3

(1) The MMO is to use its best endeavours to meet such objectives as the Secretary of State may from time to time set with regard to the quality and effectiveness of its performance.

(2) Subsection (6) of section 24 of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (c. 51) (consultation) does not apply in relation to an order under subsection (2) of that section specifying regulatory functions of the MMO as functions to which sections 21 and 22 of that Act (principles and code of practice) apply.

Chapter 2 — Transfer of functions to the MMO

Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967

Handling fish

4

(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) The grant, variation, revocation or suspension of a licence under section 4 of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 (licensing of fishing boats) by or on behalf of the Secretary of State before the coming into force of this section has effect as from the coming into force of this section as the grant, variation, revocation or suspension of the licence by the MMO.

(8) Where a decision to grant, vary, revoke or suspend a licence under that section—

(a) has been taken by or on behalf of the Secretary of State before the coming into force of this section, but

(b) has not been notified in accordance with regulations under section 4B of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 (c. 84),

the decision has effect as from the coming into force of this section as a decision taken by the MMO.

(9) Where, before the coming into force of this section, an application for a licence under section 4 of that Act, or for the variation of such a licence,—

(a) has been made to the Secretary of State or a person acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, but

(b) has not been determined or withdrawn,

the application is to be treated as from the coming into force of this section as an application made to the MMO.

Restrictions on time spent at sea: appeals

5

In section 4AA(5) of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 (duty to vary licence to give effect to determination of tribunal on appeal) the reference to the Minister who granted the licence is to be read, in the case of licences granted or treated as granted by the Secretary of State or the MMO, as a reference to the MMO.

Trans-shipment licences for vessels

6

(1) The Secretary of State's function of granting licences under section 4A of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 (c. 84) (licences for the receiving by a vessel of fish trans-shipped from another vessel) is transferred to the MMO.

(2) In subsection (1) of that section (power by order to prohibit trans-shipping of fish unless authorised by a licence granted by one of the Ministers) the reference to one of the Ministers is to be read as including a reference to the MMO instead of a reference to the Secretary of State.

(3) In the following provisions of that section—

(a) subsection (6) (conditions of licence),

(b) subsection (7) (powers to require information),

(d) subsection (11) (power to make a refund on variation, revocation or suspension),

any reference to the Minister granting a licence, or to the Minister who granted a licence, is to be read, in the case of licences granted or treated as granted by the Secretary of State or the MMO, as a reference to the MMO.

(4) In the application of subsection (9) of that section (power to issue limited number of licences) in relation to the licensing powers of the MMO under that section, the reference to the Ministers is to be read as a reference to the MMO.

(5) In any orders made under that section, any reference which includes a reference to the Secretary of State is to be read, as respects any area where the MMO exercises functions under or by virtue of that section, as including instead a reference to the MMO.

(6) The grant, variation, revocation or suspension of a licence under that section by or on behalf of the Secretary of State before the coming into force of this section has effect as from the coming into force of this section as the grant, variation, revocation or suspension of the licence by the MMO.

(7) Where a decision to grant, vary, revoke or suspend a licence under that section—

(a) has been taken by or on behalf of the Secretary of State before the coming into force of this section, but

(b) has not been notified in accordance with regulations under section 4B of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967,

the decision has effect as from the coming into force of this section as a decision taken by the MMO.

(8) Where, before the coming into force of this section, an application for a licence under section 4A of that Act, or for the variation of such a licence,—

(a) has been made to the Secretary of State or a person acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, but

(b) has not been determined or withdrawn,

the application is to be treated as from the coming into force of this section as an application made to the MMO.

(9) The heading to the section is to be “Licensing of vessels receiving trans-shipped fish”.

Regulations supplementary to sections 4 and 4A

7

In any regulations made under section 4B of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 (c. 84) any reference to the Secretary of State, or which includes a reference to the Secretary of State, is to be read, in relation to the exercise by the MMO of functions under or by virtue of section ... 4A of that Act (licensing of fishing boats and trans-shipment licences for vessels), as a reference to the MMO or, as the case may be, as including instead a reference to the MMO.

Exemptions for operations for scientific and other purposes

8

(1) The functions of the Secretary of State under subsections (1) to (4) of section 9 of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 (exemption of certain things done under the authority of one of the Ministers) are transferred to the MMO.

(2) In that section, after subsection (6) insert—

(6A) The Secretary of State may make regulations with respect to applications to the Marine Management Organisation for authority under this section. (6B) The provision that may be made in any such regulations includes provision as to— (a) the manner in which, and time before which, any such application is to be made, and (b) the charging of a reasonable fee by the Marine Management Organisation for dealing with an application. (6C) The power to make regulations under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument. (6D) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(3) Any authority granted or treated as granted by the Secretary of State under that section before the coming into force of this section is to have effect as from the coming into force of this section as an authority granted by the MMO.

Nature conservation

Licences to kill or take seals

9

(1) The Secretary of State's functions of granting and revoking licences under section 10 of the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 (c. 30) (power to grant licences) are transferred to the MMO.

(2) Any licences—

(a) granted by the Secretary of State under that section before the coming into force of this section, and

(b) having effect in relation to the whole or any part of England or the English inshore region,

are to have effect as from the coming into force of this section as licences granted by the MMO.

(3) Any application for a licence under that section in relation to the whole or any part of England or the English inshore region which was made, but not determined or withdrawn, before the coming into force of this section is to be treated as an application made to the MMO after the coming into force of this section.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

10

(1) Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (c. 69) (power to grant licences) is amended as follows.

(2) After subsection (8) insert—

(8A) In this section, in the case of a licence under any of subsections (1) to (4), so far as relating to the restricted English inshore region (see subsection (12)), “the appropriate authority” means the Marine Management Organisation.

(3) In subsection (9) (meaning of “the appropriate authority”) at the beginning insert “ Except as provided by subsection (8A), ”.

(4) At the end of the section insert—

(12) In this section— (a) “the restricted English inshore region” means so much of the English inshore region as lies to seaward of mean low water mark; (b) “the English inshore region” has the meaning given by section 322 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

(5) To the extent that an application for a licence under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which was made, but not determined or withdrawn, before the coming into force of this section relates to the restricted English inshore region, the application is to be treated as an application made to the MMO after the coming into force of this section.

Sea Fisheries (Wildlife Conservation) Act 1992

11

In section 1(1) of the Sea Fisheries (Wildlife Conservation) Act 1992 (c. 36) (conservation in the exercise of sea fisheries functions) after “the Minister or Ministers” insert “ or the Marine Management Organisation ”.

Generating and renewable energy installations

Certain consents under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989

12

(1) The electricity consent functions of the Secretary of State are transferred to the MMO.

(2) The electricity consent functions are functions under any of the following sections of the Electricity Act—

(a) section 36(1), (5) and (7) (giving consent for construction etc of generating stations, and prosecuting breaches of that requirement),

(b) section 36A (making declarations extinguishing etc public rights of navigation), and

so far as relating to any generating station that meets the requirements of subsections (3) and (4).

(3) The generating station must be in waters which are subject to regulation under section 95 of the Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), other than—

(a) any area of Scottish waters, ...

(b) any area of waters in a Scottish part of a Renewable Energy Zone.

(d) any area of the Welsh offshore region.

(4) The generating station must have a capacity such that the construction or extension of the generating station would not be a nationally significant infrastructure project (within the meaning given by sections 14 and 15 of the Planning Act 2008 (c. 29)).

(5) In accordance with subsection (1), any reference in the following provisions to the Secretary of State is to be read, so far as relating to the exercise of an electricity consent function of the Secretary of State, as a reference to the MMO—

(a) Schedule 8 to the Electricity Act (procedure), except paragraphs 1(3), 2(3) and 3(1), and the modifications of paragraph 4 made by paragraph 7A(5)(a)(ii) and (b), of that Schedule;

(b) paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 9 to that Act (preservation of amenity);

(c) regulations 71 to 74 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/2716) (adaptation of planning and other controls);

(d) the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/1927).

(6) Paragraph 1(4) of Schedule 8 to the Electricity Act (payment of sums into Consolidated Fund) does not apply to sums received by the MMO by virtue of this section.

(7) In consequence of the provision made by this section, insert the subsection set out in subsection (8)—

(a) into section 36 of the Electricity Act, after subsection (1B) as subsection (1C), and

(b) into each of sections 36A and 36B of that Act, after subsection (1) as subsection (1A).

(8) The subsection is—

(0) This section is subject to section 12 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (which transfers certain functions of the Secretary of State to the Marine Management Organisation).

(9) In this section “the Electricity Act” means the Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29).

(10) In this section, the following expressions have the same meaning as in section 95 of the Energy Act 2004—

“Renewable Energy Zone”;

“Scottish part”, in relation to a Renewable Energy Zone;

“Scottish waters”.

Safety zones: functions under section 95 of the Energy Act 2004

13

(1) The functions of the Secretary of State specified in subsection (2) are transferred to the MMO.

(2) Those functions are any functions of the Secretary of State under section 95 of the Energy Act 2004 (c. 20) (safety zones around renewable energy installations), so far as relating to any renewable energy installation that meets the requirements of subsections (3) and (4).

(3) The renewable energy installation must be in waters subject to regulation under section 95 of the Energy Act 2004, other than—

(a) any area of Scottish waters,...

(b) any area of waters in a Scottish part of a Renewable Energy Zone.

(d) any area of the Welsh offshore region.

(4) The renewable energy installation must have a capacity such that the construction or extension of the installation would not be a nationally significant infrastructure project (within the meaning given by sections 14 and 15 of the Planning Act 2008 (c. 29)).

(5) In accordance with subsection (1), any reference in the following provisions to the Secretary of State is to be read, so far as relating to the exercise of any function falling within subsection (2), as a reference to the MMO—

(a) section 95 of the Energy Act 2004,

(b) Schedule 16 to that Act (procedure for declaring safety zones),

but this is subject to the exceptions in subsection (6).

(6) Those exceptions are the following provisions of Schedule 16 to the Energy Act 2004 (which relate to regulations made by the Secretary of State)—

paragraph 3(2)(b);

in paragraph 4(1), the words preceding paragraph (a);

paragraph 4(1)(b);

paragraph 4(2);

paragraph 6(2)(b) and (6).

(7) In section 95 of the Energy Act 2004, after subsection (1) insert—

(1A) This section is subject to section 13 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (which transfers certain functions of the Secretary of State to the Marine Management Organisation).

(8) In this section, the following expressions have the same meaning as in section 95 of the Energy Act 2004—

“renewable energy installation”;

“Renewable Energy Zone”;

“Scottish part”, in relation to a Renewable Energy Zone;

“Scottish waters”.

Chapter 3 — Agreements involving the MMO for the exercise of functions

Powers to enter into agreements

Agreements between the Secretary of State and the MMO

14

(1) The Secretary of State may enter into an agreement with the MMO authorising the MMO to perform any marine function of the Secretary of State—

(a) either in relation to the UK marine area or in relation to specified parts of that area;

(b) subject to paragraph (a), either generally or in specified cases.

“Specified” means specified in the agreement.

(2) For the purposes of this Chapter, a “marine function” is any function which relates to, or whose exercise is capable of affecting, the whole or any part of the UK marine area.

(3) For the purposes of this Chapter, any reference to a marine function of the Secretary of State includes a reference to a marine function exercisable by a person—

(a) authorised or appointed by the Secretary of State, or

(b) employed in the civil service of the State (but see subsection (4)).

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3)(b), a person is not to be regarded as employed in the civil service of the State to the extent that the person is any of the following—

(a) the holder of an office in the Scottish Administration which is not a ministerial office (within the meaning of section 51 of the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46));

(b) a member of the staff of the Scottish Administration (within the meaning of that section);

(c) a member of the staff of the Welsh Assembly Government (within the meaning of section 52 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32)).

(5) An agreement under this section—

(a) may be cancelled by the Secretary of State at any time, and

(b) does not prevent the Secretary of State from performing a function to which the agreement relates.

(6) This section is subject to sections 17 and 18 (non-delegable functions and maximum duration of agreement).

Agreements between the MMO and eligible bodies

15

(1) The MMO may, with the approval of the Secretary of State, enter into an agreement with an eligible body authorising the eligible body to perform any function of the MMO—

(a) either in relation to the UK marine area or in relation to specified parts of that area;

(b) subject to paragraph (a), either generally or in specified cases.

“Specified” means specified in the agreement.

(2) For the purposes of this Chapter, any reference to a function of the MMO includes a reference to a function exercisable by a person authorised, appointed or employed by the MMO.

(3) The Secretary of State's approval may be given—

(a) in relation to a particular agreement or in relation to a description of agreements;

(b) unconditionally or subject to conditions specified in the approval.

(4) Subject to subsection (6), the Secretary of State—

(a) must review an agreement under this section no later than the end of the period of 5 years beginning with the date on which the agreement was entered into or was last reviewed by the Secretary of State, and

(b) if it appears appropriate to do so in the light of the review, may cancel the agreement.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), an agreement under this section may not be varied except—

(a) by agreement between the MMO and the eligible body, and

(b) with the approval of the Secretary of State.

(6) An approval given under subsection (1) may provide that subsection (4) or (5) does not apply (or that both of them do not apply).

(7) This section is subject to sections 17 and 18 (non-delegable functions and maximum duration of agreement).

Eligible bodies

16

(1) In this Chapter “eligible body” means any body in the following list—

(a) the Environment Agency;

(b) Natural England;

(d) any local fisheries committee constituted by an order made, or having effect as if made, under section 1 of the Sea Fisheries Regulation Act 1966 (c. 38);

(e) any harbour authority.

(f) the Natural Resources Body for Wales.

(2) The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (1) so as to—

(a) add any body or description of body to the list, or

(b) remove any body or description of body from it.

(3) The Secretary of State may not exercise the power conferred by subsection (2)(a) unless satisfied that at least one of the purposes or functions of the body, or bodies of the description, to be added to the list is, or is related to or connected with, a marine function.

(4) A body to be added to the list need not be a public body.

Non-delegable functions

17

(1) An agreement may not authorise a body to which this section applies to perform a non-delegable function.

(2) The bodies are—

(a) the MMO;

(b) an eligible body.

(3) The non-delegable functions are—

(a) any function whose performance by the body would be incompatible with the purposes for which the body was established;

(b) any power of a Minister of the Crown to make or terminate appointments, other than appointments of persons for the purpose of enforcing any legislation other than this Act or subordinate legislation made under it;

(d) any power to make subordinate legislation, give directions or guidance or issue codes of practice (or to vary or revoke any of those things);

(e) any power to fix fees or charges, other than a power prescribed for the purposes of this section by an order made by the Secretary of State;

(f) any function of an accounting officer acting in that capacity;

(g) except in relation to an agreement authorising a public body to perform functions—

(i) any power to enter, inspect, take samples or seize anything, and

(ii) any other power exercisable in connection with suspected offences;

(h) any function of the Secretary of State under the Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56) or under any subordinate legislation made under that Act.

Maximum duration of agreement

18

The maximum period for which an agreement may authorise the MMO or an eligible body to perform a function is 20 years.

Supplementary provisions

Particular powers

19

(1) The fact that a function is conferred by or under this Act or an Act passed after the passing of this Act does not prevent it from being the subject of an agreement.

(2) In subsection (3)—

“A” means the Secretary of State or the MMO;

“B” means—the MMO, if A is the Secretary of State;an eligible body, if A is the MMO.

(3) A may, under an agreement, authorise B to perform a function even though, under the enactment or subordinate legislation conferring that function on A,—

(a) the function is conferred on A by reference to specified circumstances or cases and the same type of function is conferred on B in different specified circumstances or cases,

(b) the function is exercisable by A and B jointly,

(d) B is required to consent to the exercise of the function (whether generally or in specified circumstances).

(4) An agreement may provide—

(a) for the performance of a function to be subject to the fulfilment of conditions;

(b) for payments to be made in respect of the performance of the function.

(5) In the following provisions of this section “relevant body” means—

(a) the MMO;

(b) any eligible body.

(6) A relevant body which is authorised under an agreement to perform a function—

(a) is to be treated as having power to do so;

(b) may, unless (or except to the extent that) the agreement provides for this paragraph not to apply,—

(i) authorise a committee, sub-committee, member, officer or employee of the body to perform the function on its behalf;

(ii) form a body corporate and authorise that body to perform the function on its behalf.

(7) Where the eligible body is a harbour authority which is a local authority—

(a) subsection (6)(a) is subject to section 20(5), and

(b) section 20 applies in place of subsection (6)(b).

(8) Subject to subsection (6)(b) and section 20, a relevant body which is authorised under an agreement to perform a function may not authorise any other body or person to perform that function.

Agreements with certain harbour authorities

20

(1) This section applies where a harbour authority which is a local authority is authorised under an agreement to perform a function.

(2) Subject to subsections (5) to (7), the function that the local authority is authorised to perform is to be treated as a function of the local authority for the purposes of—

(a) any power of a local authority to arrange for the discharge of the function jointly with another local authority (but only to the extent that each of the authorities is a harbour authority),

(b) any power of a local authority to arrange for the discharge of the function by any person mentioned in subsection (3), and

(c) any power of a person mentioned in subsection (3) to arrange for the discharge of a function by any other person mentioned there.

(3) The persons are any committee, sub-committee, member, officer or employee of the local authority.

(4) In subsection (3)—

(a) “committee” includes a joint committee of two or more local authorities which are harbour authorities and which include the local authority mentioned in subsection (1);

(b) “sub-committee” includes a sub-committee of any such joint committee;

(c) the reference to a member, officer or employee of the local authority includes a reference to a member, officer or employee of any local authority, or any of the local authorities, with which the local authority may have entered into arrangements for the joint discharge of functions which consist of or include functions which the local authority is authorised under an agreement to perform.

(5) If the local authority is operating executive arrangements, the function is to be treated as a function of the local authority for the purposes of section 13 of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22) (provision for determining which functions of the authority are to be the responsibility of the executive and which are not).

(6) If, in a case where the local authority is operating executive arrangements, the function is to any extent the responsibility of the executive of the local authority, then to that extent—

(a) subsection (2) does not apply, but

(b) the provisions mentioned in subsection (7) have effect.

(7) The provisions are—

(a) sections 14 to 16 of the Local Government Act 2000 (discharge of functions in the case of different types of executive arrangements);

(b) any regulations under section 17 or 18 of that Act (discharge of functions by executive of a type prescribed under section 11(5) of that Act, and discharge of functions by area committees);

(c) so far as relating to arrangements (including the appointment of joint committees) under section 101(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70) which involve another local authority which is a harbour authority, any regulations under section 20 of the Local Government Act 2000 (joint exercise of functions).

(8) “Executive arrangements” and “executive” have the same meaning as in Part 2 of the Local Government Act 2000.

(9) An agreement may provide that the provisions of subsection (2) or those mentioned in subsection (7) do not apply (or do not apply to a specified extent).

Supplementary provisions with respect to agreements

21

(1) An agreement, and any approval given by the Secretary of State under section 15, must be in writing.

(2) The Secretary of State must arrange for a copy of an agreement to be published in a way that the Secretary of State thinks is suitable for bringing it to the attention of persons likely to be affected by it.

(3) No power of a Minister of the Crown under any enactment to give directions to a statutory body extends to giving a direction—

(a) requiring it to enter into an agreement;

(b) prohibiting it from entering into an agreement;

(d) requiring it to negotiate, or prohibiting it from negotiating, a variation or termination of an agreement.

(4) Schedule 15 to the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 (c. 40) (restrictions on disclosure of information) applies in relation to an authorisation by the MMO or an eligible body under this Chapter as it applies in relation to an authorisation under section 69 of that Act by an office-holder.

Interpretation of this Chapter

22

(1) In sections 17 to 21 “agreement” means an agreement under section 14 or 15.

(2) In this Chapter—

“eligible body” has the meaning given by section 16;

“local authority” means a local authority as defined in section 1(a) of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22);

“marine function” has the meaning given by section 14.

Chapter 4 — Miscellaneous, general and supplemental provisions

23

(1) The Planning Act 2008 (c. 29) is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (6).

(2) In section 42 (duty to consult about proposed applications for orders granting development consent)—

(a) the existing provision is renumbered as subsection (1);

(b) in that subsection, after paragraph (a) insert—

(aa) the Marine Management Organisation, in any case where the proposed development would affect, or would be likely to affect, any of the areas specified in subsection (2),

;

(2) The areas are— (a) waters in or adjacent to England up to the seaward limits of the territorial sea; (b) an exclusive economic zone, except any part of an exclusive economic zone in relation to which the Scottish Ministers have functions; (c) a Renewable Energy Zone, except any part of a Renewable Energy Zone in relation to which the Scottish Ministers have functions; (d) an area designated under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964, except any part of that area which is within a part of an exclusive economic zone or Renewable Energy Zone in relation to which the Scottish Ministers have functions.

(3) In consequence of the amendments made by subsection (2) of this section—

(a) the heading to section 43 becomes “Local authorities for purposes of section 42(1)(b)”, and

(b) the heading to section 44 becomes “Categories for purposes of section 42(1)(d)”.

(4) In section 55 (acceptance of applications), in subsection (5), in the definition of “local authority consultee”—

(a) for “section 42(b)” substitute “ section 42(1)(b) ”;

(b) for “section 42(c)” substitute “ section 42(1)(c) ”.

(5) In section 56 (duty to notify persons of accepted applications)—

(a) in subsection (2), after paragraph (a) insert—

(aa) the Marine Management Organisation, in any case where the development for which the application seeks development consent would involve the carrying on of any activity in one or more of the areas specified in subsection (2A),

;

(b) after subsection (2) insert—

(2A) The areas are— (a) waters in or adjacent to England up to the seaward limits of the territorial sea; (b) an exclusive economic zone, except any part of an exclusive economic zone in relation to which the Scottish Ministers have functions; (c) a Renewable Energy Zone, except any part of a Renewable Energy Zone in relation to which the Scottish Ministers have functions; (d) an area designated under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964, except any part of that area which is within a part of an exclusive economic zone or Renewable Energy Zone in relation to which the Scottish Ministers have functions.

(6) In section 102 (definition of “interested party” etc)—

(a) in subsection (1), after paragraph (b) insert—

(ba) the person is the Marine Management Organisation and the development for which the application seeks development consent would involve the carrying on of any activity in one or more of the areas specified in subsection (1A),

;

(b) after subsection (1) insert—

(1A) The areas are— (a) waters in or adjacent to England up to the seaward limits of the territorial sea; (b) an exclusive economic zone, except any part of an exclusive economic zone in relation to which the Scottish Ministers have functions; (c) a Renewable Energy Zone, except any part of a Renewable Energy Zone in relation to which the Scottish Ministers have functions; (d) an area designated under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964, except any part of that area which is within a part of an exclusive economic zone or Renewable Energy Zone in relation to which the Scottish Ministers have functions.

(7) The Secretary of State must give guidance to the MMO as to the kind of representations which may be made by the MMO under—

(a) Chapter 2 of Part 5 of the Planning Act 2008 (c. 29) (pre-application procedure), or

(b) Part 6 of that Act (deciding applications for orders granting development consent).

General powers and duties

Research

24

(1) The MMO may (whether alone or with other bodies or persons)—

(a) undertake research into any matter relating to its functions or its general objective, or

(b) commission or support (by financial means or otherwise) research into any such matter.

(2) The MMO is to make the results of any such research available to any person on request.

(2A) The MMO must, at the request of the Secretary of State—

(a) undertake research into any international marine matter, or

(b) commission or support (by financial means or otherwise) research into any such matter;

and may, in complying with such a request, undertake, commission or support research with other bodies or persons.

(2B) The MMO must, at the request of the Secretary of State, make the results of any research under subsection (2A) available to any person.

(3) Subsection (2) or (2A) does not require the MMO to make available—

(a) any information that it could refuse to disclose in response to a request under—

(i) the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36), or

(ii) the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/ 3391) or any regulations replacing those Regulations;

(b) any information whose disclosure is prohibited by any enactment.

(4) For the purposes of this section a matter is an “international marine matter” if—

(a) it relates to an area outside the UK marine area, and

(b) the MMO has power under subsection (1)(a) to undertake research into a corresponding matter that relates to the UK marine area or an area within it.

(5) References in this section to the functions of the MMO are to functions exercisable by or on behalf of the MMO (including functions that the MMO performs under an agreement under section 14, and functions that any other body performs under an agreement under section 15).

(6) References in this section to a person include a person outside the United Kingdom.

Advice, assistance and training facilities

25

(1) The MMO must provide the Secretary of State with such advice and assistance as the Secretary of State may request.

(2) The MMO must, at the request of any public body, provide advice to that body on any matter which—

(a) is within the knowledge or experience of the MMO,

(b) relates to any of the functions of the MMO or to its general objective, and

(3) The MMO may provide advice to any person on any matter relating to any of its functions or its general objective—

(a) at the request of that person, or

(b) if the MMO considers it appropriate to do so, on its own initiative.

(3A) The MMO must, at the request of the Secretary of State, provide advice to any person (including a person outside the United Kingdom) on any international marine matter that is within its knowledge or experience.

(4) The MMO may provide any person with—

(a) assistance, or

(b) the use of training facilities,

as respects any matter of which the MMO has knowledge or experience.

(5) The MMO must, at the request of the Secretary of State, provide any person outside the United Kingdom with—

(a) assistance, or

(b) the use of training facilities,

as respects any matter of which the MMO has knowledge or experience.

(6) For the purposes of this section a matter is an “international marine matter” if—

(a) it relates to an area outside the UK marine area, and

(b) the MMO has power under subsection (3)(a) (on request) to provide advice on a corresponding matter that relates to the UK marine area or an area within it.

(7) References in this section to the functions of the MMO are to functions exercisable by or on behalf of the MMO (including functions that the MMO performs under an agreement under section 14, and functions that any other body performs under an agreement under section 15).

Provision of information etc

26

(1) The MMO may—

(a) publish documents or provide information about any matter relating to any of its functions or its general objective, or

(b) assist in the publication of such documents or the provision of such information.

(1A) The MMO must, at the request of the Secretary of State—

(a) publish documents or provide information about any international marine matter, or

(b) assist in the publication of such documents or the provision of such information.

(2) Nothing in any other enactment imposing a duty or conferring a power on the MMO—

(a) to publish, or assist in the publication of, documents of a particular kind, or

(b) to provide, or assist in the provision of, information of a particular kind,

is to be read as limiting the power conferred by subsection (1) or the duty imposed by subsection (1A).

(3) For the purposes of this section a matter is an “international marine matter” if—

(a) it relates to an area outside the UK marine area, and

(b) the MMO has power under subsection (1)(a) to publish documents or provide information about a corresponding matter that relates to the UK marine area or an area within it.

(4) References in this section to the functions of the MMO are to functions exercisable by or on behalf of the MMO (including functions that the MMO performs under an agreement under section 14, and functions that any other body performs under an agreement under section 15).

Power to charge for services

27

(1) The MMO may charge such fees in respect of the cost of providing its services as appear to it to be reasonable.

(2) The fees that may be charged under this section include fees in respect of the cost of services provided by the MMO under any arrangements made between the MMO and the Welsh Ministers or a Northern Ireland department under—

(a) section 83 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), or

(b) section 28 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47).

(3) For the purposes of this section, “services” includes, in particular, anything done under—

(a) section 2(11) (provision of copy of guidance);

(b) section 24(2) or (2B) (making available the results of research);

(d) section 26 (information).

Provision of information by the MMO to the Secretary of State

28

(1) The MMO must provide the Secretary of State with all such information as the Secretary of State may reasonably require with respect to any of the following matters—

(a) the carrying out, or proposed carrying out, of the MMO's functions;

(b) the MMO's responsibilities generally.

(2) Information required under this section is to be provided in such form and manner, and be accompanied or supplemented by such explanations, as the Secretary of State may require.

(3) The information which the MMO may be required to provide under this section includes information which, although it is not in the possession of the MMO or would not otherwise come into the possession of the MMO, is information which it is reasonable to require the MMO to obtain.

(4) A requirement for the purposes of this section—

(a) must be made in writing;

(b) may describe the information to be provided in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate;

(c) may require the information to be provided on a particular occasion, in particular circumstances or from time to time.

Power to bring proceedings

29

(1) The MMO may institute criminal proceedings in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

(2) The MMO may institute proceedings for the recovery of any monetary penalty imposed under this Act.

(3) Subsection (2) is without prejudice to any other powers the MMO may have to institute proceedings.

(4) The MMO may designate under this subsection any of its employees who would not (apart from subsection (6)) be entitled to carry on, in relation to magistrates' court proceedings, an activity which constitutes—

(a) the conduct of litigation, or

(b) the exercise of a right of audience falling within subsection (5).

(5) The rights of audience are—

(a) a right of audience in trials of summary offences;

(b) a right of audience in relation to any application for, or relating to, bail in criminal proceedings relating to a summary offence or an offence triable either way, unless (as matters stand at the time when the application is made) the offence is to be tried on indictment;

(c) a right of audience in relation to interlocutory applications and sentencing in proceedings relating to a summary offence or an offence triable either way;

(d) a right of audience in proceedings for the recovery of any sum of money.

(6) Subject to any exceptions specified in the designation, a person designated under subsection (4) is entitled to carry on, in relation to magistrates' court proceedings, any activity specified in the designation which constitutes—

(a) the conduct of litigation, or

(b) the exercise of a right of audience falling within subsection (5).

(7) For the purposes of subsection (5), a trial—

(a) begins with the opening of the prosecution case after the entry of a plea of not guilty, and

(b) ends with the conviction or acquittal of the accused.

(8) In this section—

“bail in criminal proceedings”—in relation to England and Wales, has the same meaning as in section 1 of the Bail Act 1976 (c. 63) (see subsection (1) of that section);in relation to Northern Ireland, means bail within the meaning of Part 2 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1247 (N.I. 13));

“conduct of litigation” has the meaning given by paragraph 4 of Schedule 2 to the Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29);

“magistrates' court proceedings” means proceedings before a magistrates' court in England, Wales or Northern Ireland;

“right of audience” has the meaning given by paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the Legal Services Act 2007.

Continuation of certain existing prosecutions

30

(1) Any prosecution commenced by the Secretary of State before the appropriate commencement date—

(a) for an offence in relation to any of the functions transferred to the MMO by or under Chapter 2 of this Part, or

(b) for an offence under the fisheries legislation (see subsections (2) and (3)),

may be continued on or after that day by the MMO.

(2) In this section “the fisheries legislation” means—

(a) any enactments relating to sea fishing, including any enactment relating to fishing for shellfish, salmon or migratory trout (but see subsection (3));

(b) any assimilated restriction or assimilated obligation relating to sea fishing.

(3) “The fisheries legislation” does not include—

(a) the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 (c. 51);

(b) the Salmon Act 1986 (c. 62);

(d) the Scotland Act 1998 (Border Rivers) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/1746);

(e) byelaws made by an inshore fisheries and conservation authority under section 155.

(4) In this section—

“the appropriate commencement date” means—in relation to an offence falling within paragraph (a) of subsection (1), the date on which the function to which the offence relates is transferred to the MMO;in relation to an offence falling within paragraph (b) of that subsection, the date on which section 1 comes into force;

“assimilated restriction” means a restriction that—was created or arose by or under the EU Treaties before IP completion day, and forms part of assimilated law,as modified from time to time.

Incidental powers

31

(1) The MMO may do anything which appears to it to be incidental or conducive to the carrying out of its functions or the achievement of its general objective.

(2) In particular, the MMO may—

(a) enter into agreements;

(b) acquire or dispose of land or other property;

(d) subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, form bodies corporate or acquire or dispose of interests in bodies corporate;

(e) accept gifts;

(f) invest money.

Financial provisions

Grants

32

(1) The Secretary of State may make payments by way of grant to the MMO.

(2) Any payments under subsection (1) are to be—

(a) of such amounts,

(b) at such times, and

as the Secretary of State may determine.

Borrowing powers

33

(1) The MMO may borrow money, but only—

(a) in accordance with the following provisions of this section, and

(b) subject to section 34 (limit on borrowing).

(2) The MMO may borrow such sums as it may require for meeting its obligations and carrying out its functions.

(3) The MMO may borrow any such sums—

(a) from the Secretary of State, by way of loan, or

(b) from persons other than the Secretary of State, by way of overdraft or otherwise.

(4) The MMO may borrow by virtue of subsection (3)(b) only if the Secretary of State consents.

(5) Any consent under subsection (4) may be given subject to conditions.

Limit on borrowing

34

(1) The aggregate amount outstanding in respect of the principal of sums borrowed by the MMO must not at any time exceed £20 million.

(2) The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (1) so as to substitute for the sum for the time being there specified such sum as may be specified in the order.

(3) The sum specified in an order under subsection (2) must be a sum—

(a) greater than £20 million, but

(b) not greater than £80 million.

(4) A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (2) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the House of Commons.

Government loans

35

(1) The Secretary of State may lend money to the MMO.

(2) A loan under this section may be made subject to such conditions as may be determined by, or in accordance with arrangements made by, the Secretary of State.

(3) The conditions must include provision with respect to—

(a) repayment of the loan at such times, and by such methods, as the Secretary of State may from time to time determine, and

(b) payment of interest on the loan at such rates, and at such times, as the Secretary of State may from time to time determine.

(4) The Treasury may issue to the Secretary of State out of money provided by Parliament such sums as are necessary to enable the Secretary of State to make loans under this section.

(5) The Secretary of State must, in respect of each financial year,—

(a) prepare an account of any sums lent or received in pursuance of this section during the year, and

(b) send that account to the Comptroller and Auditor General before the end of September in the following financial year.

(6) The Comptroller and Auditor General must—

(a) examine, certify and report on each account sent under subsection (5), and

(b) send a copy of the certified account and of the report to the Secretary of State as soon as possible;

and the Secretary of State must lay before each House of Parliament a copy of the certified account and of the report.

Government guarantees

36

(1) The Secretary of State may guarantee—

(a) the repayment of the principal of any sum borrowed by the MMO from a person other than the Secretary of State;

(b) the payment of interest on any such sum;

(2) A guarantee under subsection (1) may be given in such manner, and on such conditions, as the Secretary of State may think fit.

(3) If a guarantee is given under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must lay a statement of the guarantee before each House of Parliament.

(4) Where any sum is paid out for fulfilling a guarantee under this section, the Secretary of State must, as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year in the relevant period, lay before each House of Parliament a statement relating to that sum.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4), the relevant period is the period which—

(a) begins with the financial year in which the sum is paid out, and

(b) ends with the financial year in which all liability in respect of the principal of the sum and in respect of interest on it is finally discharged.

(6) If any sums are paid out in fulfilment of a guarantee under this section, the MMO must make to the Secretary of State—

(a) payments of such amounts as the Secretary of State may from time to time direct in or towards repayment of the sums so paid out, and

(b) payments of interest, at such rate as the Secretary of State may so direct, on what is outstanding for the time being in respect of sums so paid out.

(7) Payments under subsection (6) are to be made—

(a) at such times, and

(b) in such manner,

as the Secretary of State may from time to time direct.

Directions and guidance

Directions by the Secretary of State

37

(1) The Secretary of State may give the MMO general or specific directions with respect to the exercise of any of the MMO's functions.

(2) The Secretary of State may also give the MMO such general or specific directions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for the implementation of any obligations of the United Kingdom under—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) any international agreement to which the United Kingdom ... is for the time being a party.

(3) Before giving directions under this section, the Secretary of State must consult the MMO.

(4) Consultation under subsection (3) is not required if the Secretary of State considers that there is an emergency.

(5) The MMO must comply with any directions given to it under this section.

(6) The Secretary of State must publish in the London Gazette notice of any directions given under this section.

(7) The giving of any directions under this section must be publicised in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the matters to which the directions relate to the attention of persons likely to be affected by them.

(8) Copies of any directions given under this section are to be made available by the MMO to members of the public on payment of such reasonable fee as the MMO may determine.

(9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Guidance by the Secretary of State

38

(1) The Secretary of State may give the MMO guidance with respect to the exercise of any of the MMO's functions.

(2) The MMO must have regard to any guidance given to it under this Act by the Secretary of State.

(3) Before giving any such guidance, the Secretary of State must consult—

(a) the MMO, and

(b) such other bodies or persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Transfer schemes etc

Transfer schemes

39

(1) The Secretary of State may, in connection with the establishment of, or the transfer of any functions to, the MMO, make one or more schemes for the transfer to the MMO of designated property, rights or liabilities of any of the following—

(a) a Minister of the Crown,

(b) a government department,

(2) The Secretary of State may make one or more schemes for the transfer of designated property, rights or liabilities of the MMO to any of the following—

(a) a Minister of the Crown,

(b) a government department,

(3) In connection with the efficient management for public purposes of any property, rights or liabilities, the Secretary of State may at any time make one or more schemes for the transfer of—

(a) designated property, rights or liabilities of the Secretary of State to the MMO, or

(b) designated property, rights or liabilities of the MMO to the Secretary of State.

(4) On the transfer date for any designated property, rights or liabilities, that property and those rights and liabilities are transferred and vest in accordance with the scheme.

(5) In this section and Schedule 3—

“designated”, in relation to a scheme, means specified or described in, or determined in accordance with, the scheme;

“statutory body” means any body or person established by or under any enactment;

“transfer date”, in relation to any property, rights or liabilities, means a date specified by a scheme as the date on which the scheme is to have effect in relation to that property or those rights or liabilities.

(6) Schedule 3 makes further provision relating to schemes under this section.

Interim arrangements

40

(1) The Secretary of State may by notice require any of the following—

(a) a Minister of the Crown,

(b) a government department,

to provide to the MMO on a temporary basis such staff, premises or other facilities as may be specified in the notice.

(2) In this section “statutory body” means any body or person established by or under any enactment.

Part 2 — Exclusive economic zone, UK marine area and Welsh zone

Exclusive economic zone

41

(1) The rights to which this section applies have effect as rights belonging to Her Majesty by virtue of this section.

(2) This section applies to all rights under Part V of the Convention that are exercisable by the United Kingdom in areas outside the territorial sea.

(3) Her Majesty may by Order in Council designate an area as an area within which the rights to which this section applies are exercisable (an “exclusive economic zone”).

(4) The Secretary of State may by order designate the whole or any part of the exclusive economic zone as an area in relation to which the Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Ministers or any Northern Ireland department are to have functions.

(5) In any enactment or instrument passed or made after the coming into force of an Order in Council made under this section, any reference to the United Kingdom's exclusive economic zone is to be read as a reference to any area designated in the Order in Council.

(6) An Order in Council under this section may include incidental, consequential, supplementary or transitional provision or savings.

(7) In this section “the Convention” means the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Cmnd 8941) and any modifications of that Convention agreed after the passing of this Act that have entered into force in relation to the United Kingdom.

(8) Part 1 of Schedule 4 (which contains amendments consequential on this section) has effect.

UK marine area

42

(1) For the purposes of this Act, the “UK marine area” consists of the following—

(a) the area of sea within the seaward limits of the territorial sea adjacent to the United Kingdom,

(b) any area of sea within the limits of the exclusive economic zone,

(c) the area of sea within the limits of the UK sector of the continental shelf (so far as not falling within the area mentioned in paragraph (b), and see also subsection (2)),

and includes the bed and subsoil of the sea within those areas.

(2) The area of sea mentioned in subsection (1)(c) is to be treated as part of the UK marine area for any purpose only to the extent that such treatment for that purpose does not contravene any international obligation binding on the United Kingdom or Her Majesty's government.

(3) In this section “sea” includes—

(a) any area submerged at mean high water spring tide, and

(b) the waters of every estuary, river or channel, so far as the tide flows at mean high water spring tide.

(4) The area of sea referred to in subsection (3)(a) includes waters in any area—

(a) which is closed, whether permanently or intermittently, by a lock or other artificial means against the regular action of the tide, but

(b) into which seawater is caused or permitted to flow, whether continuously or from time to time, and

(5) Until the coming into force of the first Order in Council made under section 41 (the exclusive economic zone), the reference in subsection (1)(b) to the exclusive economic zone is to be read as a reference to a renewable energy zone.

Welsh zone

43

(1) Section 158 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32) (interpretation) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1) after the definition of “Wales” insert

, and Welsh zone” means the sea adjacent to Wales which is— (a) within British fishery limits (that is, the limits set by or under section 1 of the Fishery Limits Act 1976), and (b) specified in an Order in Council under section 58 or an order under subsection (3).

(3) For subsection (3) substitute—

(3) The Secretary of State may by order determine, or make provision for determining, for the purposes of the definitions of “Wales” and the “Welsh zone”, any boundary between waters which are to be treated as parts of the sea adjacent to Wales, or sea within British fishery limits adjacent to Wales, and those which are not.

(4) Part 2 of Schedule 4 (which contains amendments consequential on this section) has effect.

(5) The Secretary of State may by order make such modifications or amendments of—

(a) any Act passed before the end of the Session in which this Act is passed, or

(b) any instrument made before the end of that Session,

as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in consequence of this section.

Part 3 — Marine planning

Chapter 1 — Marine policy statement

Marine policy statement

44

(1) For the purposes of this Act a “marine policy statement” (an “MPS”) is a document—

(a) in which the policy authorities that prepare and adopt it state general policies of theirs (however expressed) for contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in the UK marine area,

(b) which has been prepared and adopted by those authorities in accordance with Schedule 5, and

(2) An MPS may also include statements or information relating to policies contained in the MPS.

(3) If to any extent a policy stated in an MPS conflicts with any other statement or information in the MPS, that conflict must be resolved in favour of the policy.

(4) In this Part “policy authority” means any of the following—

(a) the Secretary of State;

(b) the Scottish Ministers;

(d) the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland.

(5) Any reference in this Part to an MPS being adopted by any policy authorities is a reference to the final text of the MPS being adopted by those authorities in accordance with Schedule 5.

Preparation and coming into effect of statement

45

(1) An MPS may only be prepared by—

(a) all the policy authorities, acting jointly,

(b) the Secretary of State and any one or more other policy authorities, acting jointly, or

(2) An MPS must not be prepared by the Secretary of State acting alone under subsection (1)(c) unless the Secretary of State has first invited each of the other policy authorities to participate in the preparation of an MPS.

(3) A later MPS replaces an earlier MPS, whether or not the later MPS is prepared and adopted by the same policy authorities that prepared and adopted the earlier MPS.

(4) An MPS comes into effect when it has been published in accordance with Schedule 5.

Review of statement

46

The policy authorities that prepared and adopted an MPS must review the MPS whenever they consider it appropriate to do so.

Amendment of statement

47

(1) An MPS may be amended from time to time by the policy authorities which prepared and adopted it.

(2) Any amendment of an MPS must be prepared and adopted in accordance with Schedule 5.

(3) Any amendment of an MPS comes into effect when it has been published in accordance with that Schedule.

(4) Any reference in this Part to an amendment of an MPS being adopted by any policy authorities is a reference to the final text of the amendment being adopted by those authorities in accordance with that Schedule.

(5) Any reference in this Act to an MPS includes a reference to an MPS as amended.

Withdrawal of, or from, statement

48

(1) If any of the policy authorities that prepared and adopted an MPS—

(a) comes to the conclusion that it desires to withdraw from the MPS, and

(b) publishes notice of that conclusion in each of the Gazettes,

the authority is to be regarded as having withdrawn from the MPS as from the date on which the notice is so published.

(2) Before arranging to publish any such notice, the policy authority must inform each of the other policy authorities that it intends to do so.

(3) If the Secretary of State withdraws from an MPS, the MPS is withdrawn as from the date of the Secretary of State's withdrawal.

(4) If any other policy authority withdraws from an MPS, then, as from the date of the authority's withdrawal, the authority is to be treated for the purposes of this Part as if it were not one of the policy authorities which adopted and published the MPS.

(5) If the Secretary of State withdraws from an MPS, the Secretary of State must take such further steps as the Secretary of State considers appropriate to secure that the withdrawal of the MPS is brought to the attention of interested persons.

(6) If any other policy authority withdraws from an MPS, it must take such further steps as it considers appropriate to secure that its withdrawal from the MPS is brought to the attention of interested persons.

(7) An MPS which is withdrawn by virtue of subsection (3) ceases to have effect as from the date of the withdrawal.

(8) Where a policy authority withdraws from an MPS, or an MPS is withdrawn by virtue of the withdrawal of the Secretary of State, the withdrawal does not affect—

(a) the continuing validity or effect of any marine plan for any marine plan area, or

(b) until such time as a new MPS governs marine planning for a marine plan area, the construction of any marine plan for that marine plan area.

(9) In this section—

“the Gazettes” means—the London Gazette,the Edinburgh Gazette, andthe Belfast Gazette;

“interested persons” means—any persons appearing to the policy authority to be likely to be interested in, or affected by, the withdrawal of or from the MPS;members of the general public.

Chapter 2 — Marine plans

Marine planning regions

49

(1) The UK marine area comprises the following marine planning regions—

(a) the English inshore region;

(b) the English offshore region;

(d) the Scottish offshore region;

(e) the Welsh inshore region;

(f) the Welsh offshore region;

(g) the Northern Ireland inshore region;

(h) the Northern Ireland offshore region.

(2) The definitions of those regions can be found in section 322.

Marine plan authorities

50

(1) There is to be a marine plan authority for each marine planning region other than—

(a) the Scottish inshore region;

(b) the Northern Ireland inshore region.

(2) The marine plan authority for each marine planning region is as follows—

(a) for the English inshore region, the Secretary of State;

(b) for the English offshore region, the Secretary of State;

(d) for the Welsh inshore region, the Welsh Ministers;

(e) for the Welsh offshore region, the Welsh Ministers;

(f) for the Northern Ireland offshore region, the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland.

(3) References to a marine plan authority's region are to be construed accordingly.

Marine plans for marine plan areas

51

(1) A marine plan authority may prepare a marine plan for an area (a “marine plan area”) consisting of the whole or any part of its marine planning region.

(2) Where an MPS governs marine planning for a marine planning region, the marine plan authority for the region must seek to ensure that every part of the region is within an area for which a marine plan is in effect.

(3) A “marine plan” is a document which—

(a) has been prepared and adopted for a marine plan area by the appropriate marine plan authority in accordance with Schedule 6,

(b) states the authority's policies (however expressed) for and in connection with the sustainable development of the area, and

(4) For the purposes of this section “the appropriate marine plan authority” in the case of any marine plan area is the marine plan authority in whose region the marine plan area lies.

(5) A marine plan must identify (by means of a map or otherwise) the marine plan area for which it is a marine plan.

(6) A marine plan must be in conformity with any MPS which governs marine planning for the marine plan area unless relevant considerations indicate otherwise.

(7) For the purposes of this Part, an MPS “governs marine planning” for an area if—

(a) it has been adopted by the policy authority which is the marine plan authority whose region consists of or includes the area,

(b) it has been published in accordance with paragraph 12 of Schedule 5,

(d) the policy authority mentioned in paragraph (a) has not withdrawn from it.

As respects paragraphs (c) and (d), see also section 48(8) (effect of withdrawal of, or from, an MPS).

(8) Unless prepared and adopted by the Secretary of State, a marine plan must state whether it includes provision relating to retained functions (see sections 59 and 60).

(9) A marine plan may also include statements or information relating to policies contained in the plan.

(10) If to any extent a policy stated in a marine plan conflicts with any other statement or information in the plan, that conflict must be resolved in favour of the policy.

(11) A marine plan comes into effect when it has been published by the marine plan authority that prepared and adopted it in accordance with Schedule 6.

Amendment of marine plan

52

(1) A marine plan may be amended from time to time by the marine plan authority for the marine planning region in which the marine plan area lies.

(2) The provisions of this Part that relate to the preparation, adoption, publication and coming into effect of a marine plan also apply in relation to amendments of a marine plan.

(3) Any reference in this Act to a marine plan includes a reference to a marine plan as amended.

Withdrawal of marine plan

53

(1) A marine plan may be withdrawn at any time, but only in accordance with the following provisions of this section.

(2) In this section—

(a) subsection (3) has effect where a marine plan authority decides to withdraw a marine plan;

(b) subsection (4) has effect where the Secretary of State decides to withdraw agreement to a marine plan;

(3) If a marine plan authority decides to withdraw a marine plan—

(a) it is to publish notice of the withdrawal of the plan in each appropriate Gazette, and

(b) the marine plan is withdrawn as from the date on which the notice is so published.

(4) If at any time the Secretary of State decides to withdraw agreement previously given under paragraph 15 of Schedule 6 to a marine plan—

(a) the Secretary of State is to give notice of that decision to the marine plan authority,

(b) within 7 days of receiving that notice, the marine plan authority must publish notice of the withdrawal of the marine plan in each appropriate Gazette, and

(5) Where a marine plan is withdrawn under this section, the marine plan authority must take such further steps as it considers appropriate to secure that the withdrawal of the marine plan is brought to the attention of interested persons.

(6) In this section—

“appropriate Gazette” means—the London Gazette, if the marine plan is for a marine plan area in the English inshore region or the Welsh inshore region;in any other case, each of the Gazettes;

“the Gazettes” means—the London Gazette;the Edinburgh Gazette; andthe Belfast Gazette;

“interested persons” means—any persons appearing to the marine plan authority to be likely to be interested in, or affected by, the withdrawal of the marine plan, andmembers of the general public.

Duty to keep relevant matters under review

54

(1) A marine plan authority must keep under review the matters which may be expected to affect the exercise of its functions relating to—

(a) the identification of areas which are to be marine plan areas, and

(b) the preparation, adoption, review, amendment or withdrawal of marine plans for those areas.

The reference in paragraph (b) to review is a reference to the functions of the marine plan authority under section 61.

(2) The matters include—

(a) the physical, environmental, social, cultural and economic characteristics of the authority's region and of the living resources which the region supports;

(b) the purposes for which any part of the region is used;

(d) any other considerations which may be expected to affect those matters.

(3) The matters also include—

(a) any changes which could reasonably be expected to occur in relation to any such matter;

(b) the effect that any such changes may have in relation to the sustainable development of the region, its natural resources, or the living resources dependent on the region.

(4) The reference in subsection (2)(a) to the cultural characteristics of the authority's region includes a reference to characteristics of that region which are of a historic or archaeological nature.

Chapter 3 — Delegation of functions relating to marine plans

Delegation of functions relating to marine plans

55

(1) A marine plan authority may give directions under this section.

(2) A direction under this section is a direction which—

(a) designates any of the delegable marine plan functions which would (apart from directions under this section) be exercisable by or in relation to the authority, and

(b) directs that those functions, instead of being so exercisable, are to be exercisable by or in relation to such public body, acting on behalf of the authority, as is designated in the direction.

(3) An authority which gives a direction under this section may do so only with the consent of the public body.

(4) The public body—

(a) must comply with the direction, and

(b) is to be taken to have all the powers necessary to do so.

(5) In this section “delegable marine plan functions” means—

(a) functions under Chapter 2 of this Part (marine plans), and

(b) functions under section 61 (monitoring etc of implementation),

other than excepted functions.

(6) The “excepted functions” are the following functions of a marine plan authority—

(a) deciding under paragraph 15 of Schedule 6 whether to publish a marine plan or any amendment of a marine plan;

(b) deciding under section 53 whether to withdraw a marine plan.

(7) No direction may be given under this section in respect of any of the following functions of the Secretary of State—

(a) deciding under paragraph 5 of Schedule 6 whether to give agreement to a statement of public participation;

(b) deciding under paragraph 7 of that Schedule whether to give agreement to a revised statement of public participation;

(d) deciding under paragraph 15 of that Schedule whether to give agreement to a marine plan;

(e) deciding under section 53 whether to withdraw agreement previously given under that paragraph to a marine plan.

Directions under section 55: supplementary provisions

56

(1) An authority which gives a direction under section 55 must publish the direction in a way calculated to bring the direction to the attention of persons likely to be interested in or affected by it.

(2) For so long as a direction given and published under that section remains in force, the designated functions are exercisable by or in relation to the public body acting on behalf of the authority (and are not exercisable by or in relation to the authority).

(3) Subsection (2) is subject to any provision to the contrary which—

(a) is made by the direction, or

(b) is included in a direction under section 57.

(4) A direction under section 55 may include—

(a) such terms or conditions,

(b) such obligations or requirements,

as the authority giving the direction may determine.

(5) Directions under section 55 may make different provision for different cases, different areas or different public bodies.

Directions to public bodies as regards performance of delegated functions

57

(1) This section applies where any functions are exercisable by or in relation to a public body by virtue of a direction given under section 55 by an authority.

(2) The authority may from time to time give directions to the public body with respect to the performance of the functions.

(3) Before giving any such directions, the authority must consult the public body.

(4) A public body to which directions are given under this section must comply with the directions.

(5) An authority which gives a direction under this section must publish the direction in a manner likely to bring the direction to the attention of persons likely to be interested in or affected by it.

Chapter 4 — Implementation and effect

Decisions affected by an MPS or marine plan

Decisions affected by marine policy documents

58

(1) A public authority must take any authorisation or enforcement decision in accordance with the appropriate marine policy documents, unless relevant considerations indicate otherwise.

(2) If a public authority takes an authorisation or enforcement decision otherwise than in accordance with the appropriate marine policy documents, the public authority must state its reasons.

(3) A public authority must have regard to the appropriate marine policy documents in taking any decision—

(a) which relates to the exercise of any function capable of affecting the whole or any part of the UK marine area, but

(b) which is not an authorisation or enforcement decision.

(4) An “authorisation or enforcement decision” is any of the following—

(a) the determination of any application (whenever made) for authorisation of the doing of any act which affects or might affect the whole or any part of the UK marine area,

(b) any decision relating to any conditions of such an authorisation,

(c) any decision about extension, replacement, variation, revocation or withdrawal of any such authorisation or any such conditions (whenever granted or imposed),

(d) any decision relating to the enforcement of any such authorisation or any such conditions,

(e) any decision relating to the enforcement of any prohibition or restriction (whenever imposed) on the doing of any act, or of any act of any description, falling within paragraph (a),

but does not include any decision on an application for an order granting development consent under the Planning Act 2008 (c. 29) (in relation to which subsection (3) has effect accordingly).

(5) In section 104(2) of the Planning Act 2008 (matters to which Panel or Council must have regard in deciding application for order granting development consent) after paragraph (a) insert—

(aa) the appropriate marine policy documents (if any), determined in accordance with section 59 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009;

(5A) This section does not apply to a decision on an application for infrastructure consent under the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024.

(6) In this section—

“act” includes omission;

“appropriate marine policy document” is to be read in accordance with section 59;

“authorisation” means any approval, confirmation, consent, licence, permission or other authorisation (however described), whether special or general.

The appropriate marine policy documents

59

(1) This section has effect for the purpose of determining what are the appropriate marine policy documents for a public authority taking a decision falling within subsection (1) or (3) of section 58.

(2) For that purpose—

(a) subsection (3) has effect, subject to subsection (4), for determining whether any marine plan is an appropriate marine policy document, and

(b) subsection (5) has effect for determining whether an MPS is an appropriate marine policy document.

(3) To the extent that the decision relates to a marine plan area, any marine plan which is in effect for that area is an appropriate marine policy document.

(4) A marine plan for an area in a devolved marine planning region is an appropriate marine policy document in relation to the exercise of retained functions by a public authority only if—

(a) it contains a statement under section 51(8) that it includes provision relating to retained functions,

(b) it was adopted with the agreement of the Secretary of State under paragraph 15(2) of Schedule 6, and

(c) it was prepared and adopted at a time when an MPS was in effect which governed marine planning for the marine planning region.

(5) Any MPS which is in effect is an appropriate marine policy document for each of the following public authorities—

(a) any Minister of the Crown;

(b) any government department;

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Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009

Part 1 — The Marine Management Organisation

Chapter 1 — Establishment

Marine policy statement

1

General objective

2

Byelaws: compensation

3

Chapter 2 — Transfer of functions to the MMO

Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967

Handling fish

4

Restrictions on time spent at sea: appeals

5

Trans-shipment licences for vessels

6

Regulations supplementary to sections 4 and 4A

7

Exemptions for operations for scientific and other purposes

8

Nature conservation

Licences to kill or take seals

9

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

10

Sea Fisheries (Wildlife Conservation) Act 1992

11

Generating and renewable energy installations

Certain consents under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989

12

Safety zones: functions under section 95 of the Energy Act 2004

13

Chapter 3 — Agreements involving the MMO for the exercise of functions

Powers to enter into agreements

Agreements between the Secretary of State and the MMO

14

Agreements between the MMO and eligible bodies

15

Eligible bodies

16

Non-delegable functions

17

Maximum duration of agreement

18

Supplementary provisions

Particular powers

19

Agreements with certain harbour authorities

20

Supplementary provisions with respect to agreements

21

Interpretation of this Chapter

22

Chapter 4 — Miscellaneous, general and supplemental provisions

Applications for development consent

MMO’s role in relation to applications for development consent

23

General powers and duties

Research

24

Advice, assistance and training facilities

25

Provision of information etc

26

Power to charge for services

27

Provision of information by the MMO to the Secretary of State

28

Power to bring proceedings

29

Continuation of certain existing prosecutions

30

Incidental powers

31

Financial provisions

Grants

32

Borrowing powers

33