Publication of Revised Statement of Public Participation
DAERA has now published a revised Statement of Public Participation (SPP), October 2022. The SPP sets out how and when stakeholders can be involved in the Marine Plan process.
The SPP was originally published in 2012 and marked the beginning of the marine planning process in Northern Ireland. A that time, its key purpose was to provide transparency for stakeholders and explain what we would do with the views and opinions expressed during the consultation on the draft Marine Plan for Northern Ireland (which took place from June 2018, for 12 weeks). The SPP was revised in 2013, 2015, and 2018 as development of the Marine Plan progressed. The current revised Statement of Public Participation, October 2022, includes further updates to keep stakeholders and members of the public informed of progress.
Public Consultation Report – Summary of Responses
The Department welcomes the responses to the public consultation on the draft Marine Plan for Northern Ireland. During the consultation period, over 70 organisations and individuals completed submissions either online, by email or submitted in writing.
The draft Marine Plan for Northern Ireland
Public consultation on the draft Marine Plan took place from April to June 2018.
Why is there a Marine Plan?
The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MCAA) and the Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 (The Marine Act), require the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) as the Marine Plan Authority (MPA), to prepare marine plans. The Marine Plan has been developed within the framework of the UK Marine Policy Statement (UK MPS). This will facilitate the sustainable development of the marine area.
The UK Government has published a 25 year Environment Plan that aims to having UK Marine Plans in place by 2021.
Where is the Marine Plan area?
The Northern Ireland marine area is made up of an inshore and an offshore region. The marine area comprises all marine waters including sea bed, subsoil, sea loughs and tidal rivers, so far as the tide flows at Mean High Water Spring Tide.
The inshore region extends from the Mean High Water Spring Tide mark out to, at most, 12 nautical miles (nm) and includes tidal rivers and sea loughs. The offshore region is the area that extends south-eastwardly from the 12nm territorial limit to the outer boundary of the Northern Ireland marine area (31nm at the farthest point).
Who will use the Marine Plan?
The Marine Plan will primarily be used by public authorities taking decisions which affect or might affect the marine area. It will also be used by anyone who has an interest in the marine area, including those bringing forward proposals and stakeholders who wish to comment on such proposals.
A publically accessible Marine Mapviewer showing the uses and activities that occur in the Northern Ireland Marine Area is also available.
How does the Marine Plan affect decision making?
The draft Marine Plan provides a framework of policies to be considered by public authorities taking decisions which affect or might affect the marine area through decision making processes. It is a material consideration in this regard.
The Marine Plan (when adopted) will be used by Public Authorities in taking decisions which affect or might affect the marine area, including:
- Authorisation or enforcement decisions
- Decisions that relate to the exercise of any function capable of affecting the marine area.
Criteria for consulting Marine and Fisheries Division on Planning Consultations
More information on criteria for consulting Marine and Fisheries Division can be found here:
Development that may have an effect on the marine environment
Assessments
The Marine Plan has been informed by a Sustainability Appraisal, which incorporates the requirements of a Strategic Environmental Appraisal.
- Scoping report
- Summary of Responses
- Sustainability Appraisal Report Volume 1
- Sustainability Appraisal Report Volume 2
- Sustainability Appraisal Report Volume 3
The following assessments have also been carried out:
- Habitat Regulations Assessment Pre-screening Report
- Habitat Regulations Assessment Screening Report
- Equality Impact and Human Rights Screening Exercise
- Rural Needs Impact Assessment
- Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment
When will the Marine Plan come into effect?
The Marine Plan will come into effect when it is published in final form and adopted.
Progress and Reporting
DAERA is required by Section 61 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to prepare a Marine Plan report on the Marine Plan process in Northern Ireland.
A first report on progress with the Marine Plan was laid before the NI Assembly on 21 October 2015. The next six-yearly report, for the period 2015 to 2021, was laid on 5 November 2021.
Getting involved
The involvement of those with an interest in and responsibility for the marine area has been central to the development of the Marine Plan to date, as set out in the Statement of Public Participation.
Statement of Public Participation
We encourage anyone with an interest in marine planning to get in touch.
Contact Details
For more information, please contact the Marine Plan team.