irish sea pilot regional plan · policy hierarchy for irish sea regional plan.....19 4. integration...

Irish Sea Pilot Regional Plan

MSPP Consortium, November 2005

MSPP Consortium Final. 4 Nov 2005 1


Contents Preface....................................................................................................................................... 4 1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................... 5

1.1 Purpose............................................................................................................ 5 1.2 Key Assumptions ............................................................................................. 5 1.3 Geographic Coverage ...................................................................................... 5 1.4 Overview of Plan Area ..................................................................................... 6 1.5 Relationship to Other Strategies and Policies .................................................. 7

1.5.1 Introduction ......................................................................................... 7 1.5.2 International Strategies and Policies ................................................... 7 1.5.3 European Strategies and Policies ....................................................... 9 1.5.4 UK/National Strategies and Policies...................................................12 1.5.5 Regional and Local Policies and Strategies .......................................14

1.6 Process of Plan Production.............................................................................14 1.7 Responsibilities ...............................................................................................15 1.8 Monitoring and Review - TOR.........................................................................16

2. VISION, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ..............................................................................17 2.1 Core Principles................................................................................................17 2.2 Objectives .......................................................................................................17 2.3 Integration of Objectives .................................................................................19

3. SPATIAL FRAMEWORK..............................................................................................21 3.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................21 3.2 Integrated Marine Spatial Framework .............................................................21 3.3 Future Use Zoning Plan ..................................................................................22

4. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES...............................................................................26 4.1 Cultural Heritage Resources ...........................................................................26 4.2 Biodiversity, Geological and Nature Conservation ..........................................28 4.3 Oil & Gas.........................................................................................................31 4.4 Renewable Energy..........................................................................................33 4.5 Mineral Extraction ...........................................................................................36 4.6 Fisheries and Shellfisheries ............................................................................37 4.7 Mariculture ......................................................................................................40

5. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY......................................................................................42 5.1 Climate change ...............................................................................................42 5.2 Landscape ......................................................................................................43 5.3 Water Quality ..................................................................................................44 5.4 Management of the Coastal Zone...................................................................48

6. INFRASTRUCTURE ....................................................................................................50 6.1 Cables.............................................................................................................50 6.2 Oil and Gas Interconnectors ...........................................................................51 6.3 Flood Defences and Coast Protection.............................................................52

7. TOURISM, RECREATION AND LEISURE ..................................................................55 7.1 Tourism ...........................................................................................................55 7.2 Recreation and Leisure ...................................................................................56

8. MARINE TRANSPORT ................................................................................................58 8.1 Ports................................................................................................................58 8.2 Shipping ..........................................................................................................59



9. MILITARY ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................61 10. IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND REVIEW ....................................................63

10.1 Implementation ...............................................................................................63 10.2 Monitoring .......................................................................................................63 10.3 Review ............................................................................................................64

Figures 1. Marine Spatial Planning Pilot (MSPP), Study Area ....................................................... 6 2. Process of Plan Production..........................................................................................15 3. Policy Hierarchy for Irish Sea Regional Plan................................................................19 4. Integration of Plan Components...................................................................................20 5. Illustrative Future Use Zoning Plan ..............................................................................24 Appendices 1. List of Policies and Strategies Taken into Account in Preparing MSP 2. Illustrative Plan Targets/Indicators 3. Maps of Existing Activities 4. Consultees Comments



Preface This document is designed to illustrate what a marine spatial plan for the Irish Sea could look like and what it might contain. It has been produced by a process that also simulates strategic plan making and included stakeholder consultation. Where appropriate comments on specific issues or aspects of the process have been inserted in the text in [italics]. The plan is supported by a number of scenarios that have been developed to indicate how the information might be used to make spatial allocations for certain future uses. Details of these scenarios are available separately from the MSPP website - www.abpmer.co.uk/mspp .


http://www.abpmer.co.uk/mspp


1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose Traditionally, conflicting demands for the use and conservation of areas of the sea have been resolved on a case-by-case basis, using the relevant pieces of legislation and licensing regimes, which apply to those particular activities. Whilst there is no universally agreed definition of marine spatial planning, the Irish Sea Marine Spatial Plan seeks to reconcile these demands on a more systematic and consistent basis and to provide a framework for decision making into the future. The plan brings together the full range of separate sectoral policies, i.e. policies that deal with separate activities such as fishing and renewable energy, and seeks to manage sea space in a way that improves on the current situation and minimises potential conflicts between existing uses and also between uses and conservation. It also identifies areas for new development for certain uses, including areas of search. In this way, the plan can be used to provide information and greater certainty for developers and to guide regulators in consenting decisions on new developments. 1.2 Key Assumptions In preparing the pilot plan, it has been necessary for the project consultants to make a number of key assumptions about how marine spatial planning will be implemented in the UK and who will be responsible for preparing and implementing the plan. These key assumptions, which do not necessarily reflect the views of the UK Government or devolved administrations, are listed below: marine spatial planning is implemented as a statutory system and relevant bodies must

have regard to policies within the plan; sectoral policy and consenting responsibilities remain within existing Government

Departments; marine spatial planning applies to all estuarine and coastal waters extending from

mean high water mark out to the 200nm limit or international boundaries; the preparation, implementation and review of the marine spatial plan is undertaken by

a Marine Agency. 1.3 Geographic Coverage The plan area includes the majority of the Irish Sea from a southern limit adjacent to Anglesey to a northern limit of the Mull of Galloway. It includes territorial waters of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The plan also includes UK waters beyond the 12nm limit within the Irish Sea. The plan does not include the territorial seas of the Isle of Man where different arrangements for planning in the marine environment would apply. The plan boundaries are illustrated in Figure 1. Because the plan includes territorial waters of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is recognised that the management of many of the issues are devolved. However, the plan seeks to adopt a common and integrated approach to the management of these issues at a regional seas scale.



Figure 1. Marine Spatial Planning Pilot (MSPP), Study Area

1.4 Overview of Plan Area The Irish Sea is a shallow shelf sea between Great Britain and Ireland, occupying around 58,000 km2. Around 6 million people live within 10km of the Irish Sea coastline. The sea is generally shallow in depth ranging from 20-100m over most of its area with a deeper channel, exceeding 100m running north-south in the western part of the sea. It is biologically productive, supporting a wide range of habitats and species of nature conservation interest, many of which are designated for their national or international importance. The sea, sea shore and seabed contain a wide range of natural resources and support many different economic development activities. These include: commercial fishing, shellfishing and mariculture; oil & gas exploration and production; marine aggregate extraction;



renewable energy production; maritime transport; and leisure and recreation.

Multiple use of the sea and sea bed is prevalent in the Irish Sea and many uses coexist without significant conflict, reflecting the broad range of management mechanisms that already exist. Often conflict can be avoided through prior consultation with other users and the application of temporal or other controls on individual activities. 1.5 Relationship to Other Strategies and Policies 1.5.1 Introduction This plan seeks to integrate at the regional scale a very wide range of strategies and policies deriving from international, national and regional levels. This section sets out some of the key strategies and policies that have shaped this plan. A full list of strategies and policies to which the plan has regard is presented in Appendix 1. 1.5.2 International Strategies and Policies United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

UNCLOS provides an overarching framework for the marine environment. It sets out national jurisdictions and establishes rights of navigation and the legal regime for the high seas. It provides the legal basis for the protection and sustainable development of the marine environment and addresses environmental control, scientific research, economic activities and the settlement of disputes. States have the right to exploit their natural resources, constrained by a duty to protect and preserve the marine environment. UNCLOS introduced the concept of Exclusive Economic Zones and defined the limits of territorial seas and rights to passage, the freedom of navigation, fishing and the laying of submarine pipelines and cables in the high seas outside territorial waters. UNCLOS provisions are supported by a number of other instruments, including the Agreement on the Conservation and Management of Straddling Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, aimed at the long-term sustainability of these stocks. International Maritime Organization (IMO) Conventions The IMO is a specialised UN agency with responsibility for the safety of international shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships. Its conventions include: The International Convention on the control of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships; The International Convention for the control and management of ships ballast water

and sediments; The Convention for the prevention of pollution from ships (MARPOL 73/78); The Convention on Intervention on the high seas in case of oil casualties; and The Convention on oil pollution preparedness, response and co-operation.

These Conventions provide the primary means for managing pollution from international shipping.



Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (The London Convention) The Convention provides for the control of the dumping of wastes and other matter in the Sea. The convention was modified by the 1996 Protocol to the London Convention. The Convention provides the overarching framework for the management of disposal in the marine environment. OSPAR Convention The 1992 Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic (the OSPAR Convention) entered into force on 25 March 1998. The OSPAR Convention aims to contribute to the control and prevention of marine pollution within the waters of the North East Atlantic (which include all UK waters), as well as scientific co-operation in assessing the quality of these waters. Annex V to the Convention contains provisions on the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity. It requires Contracting Parties to take the necessary measures to protect and conserve marine ecosystems and biodiversity of the North East Atlantic, and to restore, where practicable, adversely affected areas. The measures to be taken include the identification of important species, habitats and ecological processes and designation of OSPAR marine protected areas (MPA). The UK has agreed to identify and designate relevant areas of the UK’s seas as OSPAR MPAs by 2010. Annex V to the Convention also provides for the adoption of programmes and measures to assist management of human activities that can have an adverse impact on the marine environment. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) The 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit. Its objective is the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and adequate sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources . The CBD has five main marine elements: integrated marine and coastal area management; marine and coastal living resources; marine and coastal protected areas; mariculture; and alien species and genotypes.

The Convention’s 1995 Jakarta Mandate focuses international action on marine and coastal biodiversity. It is founded on a number of basic principles, including the ecosystem approach and the precautionary principle. World Summit for Sustainable Development 2002 The marine commitments made in 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), include:



encouraging the ecosystem approach in marine management by 2010; to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biodiversity; setting up representative marine protection networks by 2012; and restoring depleted fish stocks to maximum sustainable yields by 2015 ‘where possible’.

1.5.3 European Strategies and Policies European Spatial Development Perspective The European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP) (European Commission, 1999), sets out a spatial planning approach, which has guided the development of the planning system on land in the UK and provides the basis for further “visioning” of Europe’s regions. The ESDP also includes some aspects relevant to the Irish Sea such as the development of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN- T) and telecommunications and energy supply which link Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain. 6th Environmental Action Plan - European Marine Thematic Strategy The concept of spatial planning in the marine environment has been recognised in the development of the EU Marine Thematic Strategy which is currently being developed by the European Commission and is expected to be published later this year. Integrated Coastal Zone Management Recommendation The Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Recommendation requires national ICZM strategies to be in place by early 2006 involving consultation with all coastal stakeholders. [It is assumed for the purposes of this pilot that the marine elements of ICZM plans would both inform and be integrated with MSP.] European Commission White Paper on Transport In relation to transport, the European Commission’s Transport White Paper (European Commission, 2001) identifies short sea shipping as a central element of its strategy for achieving a clean, safe and efficient European transport system. It recognises that this will require an increase in port capacity as well as improved intermodal connections between ports and inland transport networks as part of the trans-European network. Common Fisheries Policy The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) sets fisheries policy at a Community level and limits the extent to which Member States can develop their own fisheries measures. The CFP sets annual limits on the quantities of fish that can be caught and landed known as Total Allowable Catches (TACs). The TACs are divided among Member States as ‘national quotas’, which are shared out within the UK through an informal quota management system involving Government and industry. A range of general measures are applied in seeking to manage fisheries under the CFP including planned reductions in capacity and effort, technical conservation measures, subsidies and a programme of monitoring and enforcement. The CFP was amended in 2002 through Council Regulation 2371/2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy. These



amendments recognised that the CFP had failed to deliver sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources, with many stocks judged to be outside safe biological limits. Water Framework Directive The Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC) seeks to promote sustainable management of water environments including estuaries and coastal waters out to 1nm in England and Wales and 3nm in Scotland from the territorial baseline with the objective of achieving good status by 2015. The Directive will supersede and replace a number of existing European water directives and will be a major driver of investment to maintain and improve inshore water environments in the coming decades. A wide range of other EC Environmental Directives also have a bearing on the plan, for example the EC Bathing Waters Directive (76/164/EEC), EC Dangerous Substances Directive (76/464/EEC). EC Shellfish Waters Directive (79/923/EEC) and Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), although some of these will be repealed as WFD is implemented. Habitats and Birds Directives Two of the most significant pieces of European legislation in the field of nature conservation are the Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the Conservation of Wild Birds (the Birds Directive) and the Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of wild fauna and flora (the Habitats Directive). The Birds Directive provides a framework for the conservation and management of, and human interaction with, wild birds in Europe. It makes provisions for the maintenance of the favourable conservation status of all wild bird species and the identification and classification of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for rare and vulnerable species (listed in Annex I) as well as for all regularly occurring migratory species.

The Habitats Directive requires Member States (MS) to protect areas that support certain natural habitats or species of plants or animals of Community interest listed in Annexes I and II of the Directive. It also makes provisions for the establishment of a European network of important high quality conservation sites that make a significant contribution to the achievement of the objectives of the Directive. For this purpose, each MS is required to select, designate and protect sites as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Together the SACs and SPAs will create a network of protected areas across the European Union known as Natura 2000. This European-wide network of sites is designed to promote the conservation of habitats, wild animals and plants, both on land and at sea and is a major contribution by the EC to implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity. By 2002 71 marine SPAs and 62 candidate SACs had been designated in UK territorial waters (Defra, 2002). Initially, the Directive was considered to only apply to the 12 nm limit of territorial waters. However, in 1999, the UK High Court ruled that the Habitats Directive also applied to the UK Continental Shelf and to the superadjacent waters up to the limit of 200 nm from the baseline. The “Offshore Natura 2000 Project” represents the Government response to the 1999 court rulling. Under the remit of this project, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) has



been asked to provide advice necessary to identify areas that may qualify as possible offshore SACs and SPAs. Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment Directives The EC Directive on Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes (2001/42/EC) (SEA Directive) seeks to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development. The directive requires that an environmental assessment is carried out of certain plans and programmes which are likely to have significant effects on the environment. SEA is mandatory for plans and programmes which: are prepared for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, industry, transport, waste

management, water management, telecommunications, tourism, town and country planning or land use and which set the framework for future development consent for projects listed in Annexes I and II to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (85/337/EEC); or

in view of the likely effect on sites, have been determined to require an assessment

according to Article 6 or 7 of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). The development of marine spatial plans would be subject to the requirements of the SEA Directive. The SEA process is composed of three key elements: the environmental report, setting out the likely significant environmental effects of

implementing the plan or programme as well as the assessment of reasonable alternatives to the plan or programme;

consultation, i.e. the Directive requires that the public and other interested

organisations authorities, including transboundary interested parties, are consulted as part of the process in order to contribute to more transparent decision making and with the aim of ensuring that all necessary information is available for the assessment; and

monitoring in order to identify any unforeseen adverse effects and to enable

appropriate remedial action to be taken (though it creates no new obligations in this respect).

The SEA process is likely to comprise a fundamental component of the development of a marine spatial plan and will need to be closely integrated with the process of plan production and stakeholder involvement. The EC Directive on the Assessment of Certain Public and Private Projects on the Environment (85/337/EEC as amended by 97/11/EC) (EIA Directive) requires that an environmental impact assessment is carried out to assess the effects of those projects which are likely to have significant effects on the environment. Many new development proposals covered by the marine spatial plan are likely to require an environmental impact assessment to be carried out, prior to consent for the projects being issued.



1.5.4 UK/National Strategies and Policies UK Sustainable Development Strategy ‘Securing the future - delivering UK sustainable development strategy’ (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 2005) provides the framework for the delivery of sustainable development across the UK, including the Devolved Administrations. Within the UK, sustainable development will be pursued in an integrated way that delivers a sustainable, innovative and productive economy that delivers high levels of employment; and a just society that promotes social inclusion, sustainable communities and personal wellbeing. This will be done in ways that protect and enhance the physical and natural environment, and use resources and energy as efficiently as possible. Five guiding principles have been identified to support achievement of sustainable development: Living within Environmental Limits - respecting the limits of the planet’s environment,

resources and biodiversity - to improve our environment and ensure that the natural resources needed for life are unimpaired and remain so for future generations;

Ensuring a Strong Healthy and Just Society - meeting the diverse needs of all people in existing and future communities, promoting personal wellbeing, social cohesion and inclusion, and creating opportunities for all;

Achieving a Sustainable Economy - building a strong, stable and sustainable economy which provides prosperity and opportunities for all, and in which environmental and social costs fall on those who impose them (polluter pays), and efficient resource use is incentivised;

Promoting good Governance - actively promoting effective, participative systems of governance in all levels of society - engaging people’s creativity, energy and diversity;

Using Sound Science Responsibly - ensuring policy is developed and implemented on the basis of strong scientific evidence, whilst taking into account scientific uncertainty (through the precautionary principle) as well as public attitudes and values.

Safeguarding our Seas Safeguarding our Seas (Defra, 2002) sets out the UK Government’s strategy for the conservation and development of the marine environment. The strategy identifies a number of key principles to underpin its vision of ‘clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas: Sustainable development - the needs of future generations should not be compromised

by the needs of people today; Integrated management - looking at the wider picture so that all those who manage or

influence the marine environment work together at all levels with a common understanding;

Conservation of biological diversity - conserving and enhancing biological diversity within the UK and contributing to the conservation of global biodiversity;

Robust science - understanding the processes and influences that impact on the marine environment and using research to inform policy making and marine management;



The precautionary principle - sensibly erring on the side of caution where the scientific evidence is not conclusive; and

Stakeholder involvement - involving all stakeholders so that they are an integral part of the decision making process.

The strategy provides the primary framework within which the Irish Sea plan has been developed. Seas of Change & the Government’s Response to Seas of Change Seas of Change (Defra, 2004) set out the Government’s proposed goals for the marine environment to support delivery of the vision in Safeguarding our Seas. These goals have subsequently been adopted in modified form and provide the core principles that should inform spatial and development planning across the plan region to achieve sustainable development. [It is likely that the UK framework would be considerably strengthened prior to formal adoption and implementation of marine spatial planning, particularly following enactment of a Marine Bill. In particular, it would be anticipated that one or more national policy statements would be issued clarifying policies for the marine environment and particular marine sectoral policies.] Water Framework Directive A number of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) to be prepared under the Water Framework Directive will be relevant to parts of the plan area including those RBMPs for: North West Solway Tweed Dee Western Wales Northern Ireland

These RBMPs provide the primary mechanism for addressing significant impacts to biological and chemical quality in transitional waters (estuaries) and coastal waters out to 1nm (3nm in Scotland). The RBMPs will make a major contribution to the achievement of some of the Irish Sea plan objectives in the areas to which they apply, particularly those relating to sustainable use. Sectoral Policies The sectoral nature of the management of human activities in the marine environment has given rise to a large number of disparate sectoral policies relevant to the plan. Examples include: Fisheries - Securing the Benefits (Defra et al, 2005); Ports - Modern Ports: A UK Policy (DfT, 2000); Shipping - British Shipping: Charting a New Course (DETR, 1998); Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk - Making Space for Water (Defra, 2004); Energy Generation - Energy White Paper (DTI, 2003); Sport and Recreation – Department of Culture Media and Sport;



Mineral Extraction - Minerals Planning Guidance note 6 (DETR, 1994); Marine Minerals Guidance Note 1 (ODPM, 2002).

1.5.5 Regional and Local Policies and Strategies There are a number of Regional Spatial Strategies relevant to the Irish Sea plan, described below. These regional strategies are supported by a large number of supporting strategies, detailed local plans and development frameworks. The Regional Planning Guidance for the North West (RPG 13) adopted in 2003, recognises its role in Europe and links, particularly on issues such as transportation, with adjoining devolved administrations and the Republic of Ireland. It contains development policies for the coastal areas including the ports and resorts as well as the undeveloped coast. This document has now been adopted as the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West and as such constitutes part of the development plan for the Local Planning Authorities in that area. There are Structure Plans for Lancashire and Cumbria both of which set out more detailed policies for the coast. The Wales Spatial Plan (People, Places, Futures - Welsh Assembly 2004) sets out the issues and opportunities across different sectors including the proposal to develop an Integrated Coastal Management Plan. It recognises the importance of the transport corridors to Ireland, the tourism industry and the need to protect coastal environments. The Scottish Executive has produced a National Planning Framework for Scotland, which identifies the environmental importance of its coast as well as the significance of ports in the South West of the country. The Structure Plan for Dumfries and Galloway also sets out further detail of coastal policies. The Northern Ireland Regional Development Strategy (2001) contains policies designed to offer protection to the coastline and coastal habitats while strengthening the transport links provided by its ports. 1.6 Process of Plan Production The plan making process consists of three parallel procedures: plan production; stakeholder & community involvement; strategic environmental assessment.

The process of production of the plan is represented in Figure 2. The process has been informed by stakeholder participation at both the inception and draft plan stage. This includes both those with direct interests in marine issues in the Irish Sea and those who have an indirect or personal interest.



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Implement, Monitor & Review

Adopt Plans

Figure 2. Process of Plan Production

The requirement to undertake SEA, interpreted in terrestrial planning as SA, means that the plan is assessed for its environmental impact from its commencement. Apart from meeting the requirements of the European Directive for plans and programmes of this size, it is also a systematic and iterative process whereby the environmental, social and economic effects of the plan are appraised from the outset. [The regional plan will identify areas where sub-regional plans might be appropriate. A timetable for preparing these sub-regional plans could be established, for example through a process analogous to that of the Local Development Scheme introduced by the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. It is anticipated that sub-regional plans would need to be developed for specific geographical areas/ecosystems within a regional plan area where the conflicts and issues required a more focused set of objectives and targets compared to the regional plan as a whole..] 1.7 Responsibilities [It has been assumed that the Irish Sea Regional Plan is produced by a Marine Agency working in partnership with a wide range of other statutory and non-statutory stakeholders. This might best be delivered through a Stakeholder Advisory Group. It is also assumed that the Marine



Agency will be responsible for co-ordinating the implementation, monitoring and review of the plan, in partnership with a wide range of other statutory stakeholders.] It is recognised that some aspects of the plan are not wholly within the control of UK bodies. For example, the Common Fisheries Policy is administered by the European Commission and many aspects of shipping policy are determined through the International Maritime Organisation. Policy responsibilities for individual sectors are described in more detail under the relevant policies (Sections 4 to 9). 1.8 Monitoring and Review - TOR Monitoring is the on-going process by which the impact of the plan can be examined. It will play a key part in assessing the effectiveness of plan policies, which in turn feeds in to further development and review of the plan. The plan is supported by a series of targets and indicators, linked to the plan’s objectives, against which plan performance will be monitored (Section 10). [Many of the targets are likely to derive from sectoral policies. It is envisaged that target setting would primarily be the responsibility of the sectoral policy owners, but that the Marine Agency would have an important role in reconciling and integrating such targets at a regional level, including brokering trade-offs where conflicts occurred.] [We see this process as being similar to the targets/indicators that are currently applied to RSS. They are likely to draw on many of the existing indicators and targets for the marine environment together with targets/indicators for aspects of human uses. It is suggested that an annual report would be produced to record progress and provide the evidence base for plan review.]



2. VISION, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 2.1 Core Principles In line with the UK’s Sustainable Development Strategy, the Government’s goals for the marine environment set out in the Response to its Seas of Change consultation (Defra, 2004) to deliver an ecosystem approach to marine management are: To conserve and enhance the overall quality of our seas, their natural processes and

their biodiversity; To use marine resources in a sustainable and ecologically sensitive manner in order to

conserve ecosystems and achieve optimum environmental, social and economic benefit from the marine environment;

To promote and encourage environmentally sustainable use of natural resources to ensure long term economic benefits and sustainable employment;

To increase our understanding of the marine environment, its natural processes and our cultural marine heritage and the impact that human activities have upon them; and

To promote public awareness, understanding and appreciation of the value of the marine environment and seek active public participation in the development of new policies.

These goals have been adopted as core principles for the Irish Sea plan. They reflect and take account of the hierarchy of policies and objectives that relate to the marine environment stemming from international, European and national policies. [We think that these objectives may benefit from further modification in the development of an actual plan, for example, to reflect 2005 sustainable development strategy. While social objectives for the marine environment may be less readily defined for the marine environment, compared to land, concepts of social justice and social capital are being increasingly recognised as important. Also, there is currently nothing about the protection of cultural marine heritage in these goals. A number of consultees have also queried whether the goals sufficiently emphasise the economic and social aspects of sustainable development. However, given the broad nature of the goals, the consultancy team did not encounter any specific difficulty in working with these goals. In part, this is likely to be because the more specific sectoral policies and objectives already incorporate an element of interpretation of these broad goals]. 2.2 Objectives There are a wide range of economic, social and environmental objectives relating to the Irish Sea. Economic objectives exist for many human use sectors and economic uses also often fulfil important social objectives in relation to employment and amenity etc.. While these objectives may not always be formally written down, they can often be inferred from the nature of the sectoral activities themselves. Increasingly, human uses have also had accompanying environmental objectives imposed upon them as part of the sectoral approach to marine management. A suite of more general environmental/ecosystem objectives has also been developed for protection of the marine environment, including:



Objectives for nature conservation - the Review of Marine Nature Conservation identified strategic goals, high level objectives and operational objectives (Defra, 2004);

Objectives for water quality and biological quality under the Water Framework Directive and other EC Directives;

Objectives for water quality and biological health stemming from OSPAR Hazardous Substances, Eutrophication and Radioactive Substances Strategies);

National objectives developed by the Environment Agencies (e.g. EA, SEPA and EHS(NI) Corporate Plans) and Nature Conservation Agencies (e.g. EN Maritime Strategy).

Delivery of an ecosystem approach to marine management requires that objectives are set for the marine environment which respect environmental limits to protect the ecosystem and the physical processes and water quality on which healthy ecosystems depend. By measuring progress against these objectives, adaptive measures can be applied to the management of human uses of the marine environment where required, to support achievement of ecosystem objectives. [This is not to say that environmental objectives always have precedence over economic and social objectives within a given area. It merely recognises that there are limits to the amount of economic development an area can support if environmental limits are to be respected] For the purposes of the pilot plan the consultancy team propose the following broad environmental objectives for the marine environment: To halt the deterioration in the state of marine biodiversity in the Irish Sea and to

promote recovery where practicable; To maintain and, where necessary, improve water quality and sediment quality to

support biodiversity and protect human health and to achieve international, European, national and regional objectives and targets;

To maintain and, where appropriate, restore natural physical processes to support biodiversity.

[Further more detailed sub-objectives could be developed for each of these broad objectives, for example, to describe the role of site based protection and/or wider conservation measures in supporting biodiversity] The economic, social and environmental objectives have provided the starting point for drafting sectoral policies in the plan. A range of targets and indicators have also been developed against which progress towards achieving these objectives can be measured. This hierarchy is illustrated in Figure 3. Possible targets and indicators for the marine environmental objectives are given in Appendix 2. Possible targets and indicators for human uses are incorporated into the text on sectoral policies in sections 4 to 9.



INTERNATIONAL POLICIES

NATIONAL POLICIES

Government’s Sustainable Development Strategy Marine Stewardship Initiative

Conventions (e.g. OSPAR, IMO), UNCLOS, European Policies and Directives

General and Sectoral Policies, Objectives and Targets - plan makers to have regard to these in preparing

regional MSP

Vision and Strategic Goals for the Marine Environment

REGIONAL POLICIES

IRISH SEA REGIONAL PLAN

Contents Regional policies, objectives and targets for marine

environment Regional policies, objectives and targets for sectoral uses Spatial application of policies – maps (existing uses,

future uses etc) Sub-regional plans (as required)

Figure 3. Policy Hierarchy for Irish Sea Regional Plan

2.3 Integration of Objectives The UK sustainable development strategy highlights the importance of integrating economic, social and environmental objectives to achieve sustainable development. A key characteristic of “spatial’ planning is that it facilitates delivery of the integration of policies and objectives across different sectors of activity in the production of one unified plan (Figure 4). The Irish Sea Marine Spatial Plan seeks to reconcile the sectoral demands on a more systematic and consistent basis and to provide a framework for decision making into the future.



Integration of policies and objectives within the Irish Sea plan is achieved through: Co-ordination amongst relevant stakeholders, for example, the plan brings together

relevant authorities with responsibilities across the full range of human uses in the Irish Sea;

Drafting of regional plan policies and objectives to ensure that sectoral policies take account of the needs of other uses and the marine ecosystem with a duty on relevant authorities to have regard to these policies;

Establishment of sectoral and environmental targets which respect environmental limits and reflect Government policy priorities;

Providing guidance to sectoral regulators in relation to consenting issues for new developments, for example, by identifying acceptable extents of and locations for certain types of new development;

Monitoring progress towards achievement of plan objectives and targets and implementing adaptive management measures where objectives are not being achieved.

[Given that many of the objectives are fairly broad and not quantified, the establishment of specific (SMART) targets is an important mechanism in developing an integrated plan. In particular, such targets can reconcile disparate Government policy priorities at a regional level while ensuring that environmental limits in the plan area are respected].

EU/International policiesand objectives

EU/International policiesand objectives

Integration

Sectoral usesSectoral uses

Spatial informationGISSpatial informationGIS

Marine Environment/Ecosystem

Marine Environment/Ecosystem

National & regionalpolicies/objectivesNational & regionalpolicies/objectives

Plan policiesPlan allocations/mapsTargets/indicators

Plan policiesPlan allocations/mapsTargets/indicators

Figure 4. Integration of Plan Components



3. SPATIAL FRAMEWORK 3.1 Introduction The majority of the sea and seabed in the Irish Sea is already subject to multiple use. The location of existing uses reflects historical rights that have been assigned by a wide range of bodies at different times. Some of these rights, for example fishing and navigation, stem from international law, whilst others, such as oil & gas exploration and production or marine aggregate extraction, derive from national licensing regimes. Conflict between overlapping uses has generally been avoided or dealt with on a case-by-case basis through the development of appropriate management controls and co-operation between the uses concerned. However, the spatial demands that are being placed on the marine environment have increased in recent years and are likely to continue to increase in the future, for example, with the expansion of marine renewables and possible sequestration of carbon dioxide. A key aspect of spatial planning is that it seeks to plan and manage existing and future human uses within a spatial context. On land, concepts of regional distinctiveness have emerged, reflecting differences in land use (urban/rural/remote) and cultural differences across national/regional boundaries, which provide a starting point for spatial strategies. However, such distinctions cannot so readily be made for the marine environment of the Irish Sea. At the coast, concepts of developed and undeveloped land are relevant. As a generality, distinctions can also be made between inshore and offshore waters. Other areas of the Irish Sea may also be characterised by the particular development activities that occur, for example, the Morecambe and Liverpool Bay Gas Fields. However, such distinctions do not readily provide a basis for a spatial framework. 3.2 Integrated Marine Spatial Framework The starting point for the spatial framework for the Irish Sea plan is one that seeks to recognise the relationship between existing uses within the marine environment. In particular, it recognises that multiple use is the norm, reflecting historic rights assigned at various times in the past. To support integration of plan policies the spatial framework seeks to take account of the policy relationship (and associated objectives and targets) between different human uses where they overlap with the overall aim of avoiding or minimising conflict where feasible. In particular, the spatial framework takes account of potential conflicts between human uses and ecosystem objectives to ensure that environmental limits are respected. The framework recognises that many existing uses peaceably coexist and that many potential conflicts can be avoided through appropriate ongoing management controls. Many uses of the sea rely on access to specific resources (e.g. marine aggregates, renewable energy etc.) or routes (e.g. shipping, cables) which are limited in their location and extent. A key element of the spatial framework therefore seeks to manage access to these resources /routes and ensure that they are not unnecessarily sterilised by other uses. In this way the plan can provide for continuing future use of these areas. Where appropriate, the plan formalises this process through the safeguarding of specific areas for key uses in a Future Use Zoning Plan (see section 3.3 below).



The spatial framework also incorporates some of the existing mechanisms that are used to manage conflicts, for example, the establishment of permanent or temporary exclusion areas, buffer areas or consultation areas (areas within which developers have a statutory duty to consult particular users e.g. MOD). Finally, the framework also provides for the identification of areas within which sub-regional plans will be developed. Sub-regional plans are likely to be required in areas where the scale and intensity of human activity is such that the potential conflicts need to be managed on a more localised scale than can be provided for in a broad regional plan. This is likely to be the case for some coastal areas and major estuaries. [The relationship between the Regional Plan and Sub-regional Plans is currently being explored in a separate part of the project and progress will be presented ahead of, and discussed at, the September Workshop] In summary, the spatial framework adopted for the plan therefore comprises the following elements: Existing locations of human uses covered by the plan - it is anticipated that these uses

will continue to the extent that they do not compromise achievement of environmental/ecosystem objectives and targets. [The locations of existing activities are shown in a number of maps accompanying the sectoral policies in sections 4 to 9 of the plan];

Information on the distribution of key marine resources; [the available information is held within the Irish Sea GIS]

A Future Use Zoning Plan which safeguards particular resources/routes in specific locations where required (Figure 5);

Exclusion areas to give effect to particular sectoral policies. For example, the DTI offshore wind farm exclusion zone prohibits construction within a certain distance of the shoreline; there are also a number of time limited exclusion areas relating to fisheries; [additional time limited exclusions could be introduced for particular activities in specific locations for the purposes of nature conservation, e.g. during breeding seasons etc.)

Buffer zones that can be associated with certain uses to give effect to sectoral policy requirements or to support management of conflicts between uses;

Consultation areas, to ensure that potential conflicts between particular uses can be minimised or avoided;

Sub-regional plans in areas where the levels of human activity require them. 3.3 Future Use Zoning Plan Certain uses of the Irish Sea are dependent on the availability of relatively restricted marine resources. While there is a general presumption that areas of existing use of such resources will continue (subject to these activities being consistent with environmental/ecosystem objectives and targets), there is a need to provide areas for future use for some activities. The uses for which specific future allocation are required include: Renewable energy developments - to achieve the Government’s ambitious policies for

renewable energy generation to tackle climate change, considerable sea space could be required for future offshore wind farm developments and tidal stream generators;



Marine aggregate extraction – to meet terrestrial domestic targets for construction, there is a need to provide for continued extraction of marine aggregates as existing sites become exhausted;

Marine Protected Areas - to achieve the Government’s commitment to establish a network of marine protected areas for representative habitats, additional locations within the Irish Sea are likely to need to be identified for protection;

Offshore Natura 2000 - the UK government is in the process of identifying areas for designation as SAC outside the 12nm limit; further consideration is also being given by the devolved administrations to identifying additional sites within their respective 12nm limits. The UK Government and devolved administrations are considering requirements for marine SPAs within and beyond the 12nm limit;

Cultural heritage sites – the framework for the management of marine cultural heritage assets is currently undergoing substantial review and development. In the future it is likely that there will be the potential to provide greater protection to a range of different cultural heritage assets. Depending on time scales, it may be possible to incorporate these requirements into future MSPs.

Figure 5 presents the Future Use Zoning Plan for the Irish Sea which provides for the allocation of sea space for the majority of the above uses. These allocations are intended to safeguard those areas for the specified future uses. However, this does not preclude co-occurrence of other compatible uses; nor does it preclude use by other activities in advance of taking up the intended option, so long as such activities do not sterilise the intended use. On termination of the activity for which an area has been allocated, the site would be available for other suitable uses. It is likely that some kind of management plan would accompany such allocations to indicate how the area might be used over time. In identifying preferred areas for future economic uses, the plan does not guarantee that such developments will be permitted in these areas, because consent for such developments will always be subject to the findings of a detailed environmental impact assessment. Nor are such allocations intended to preclude developers from applying for consent in locations outwith the preferred areas. However, given that the preferred areas are identified as containing suitable resources and subject to fewer constraints than other areas, there is a strong expectation that development applications in the preferred areas are more likely to be successful than applications outwith those areas and it is the intention of the plan and plan policies to steer appropriate developments towards the preferred areas where practicable. The Future Use Zoning Plan provides an important element of integration in that it integrates the allocation of space for future use with allocations for existing uses. It also provides integration of the allocation for different future uses.



Figure 5. Illustrative Future Use Zoning Plan

[Please Note: the Zoning Plan is illustrative and has been developed to identify preferred areas for future tidal stream generation, marine aggregate extraction and Marine Protected Areas. The preferred areas for tidal stream generation and marine aggregate extraction have been identified on the basis of: Locations of suitable resources (which also take account of shore side

considerations); Minimum economic area of sea/sea bed required per development and assumed

required rates of future production; Locations of existing uses and other future uses; The policy priority afforded to these different uses (and thus the likelihood that a

development proposal would be successful in that location) The preferred areas for MPAs have been developed using optimisation software (MARXAN), seeking to avoid areas of high economic value. Details of all three scenarios and the assumptions used are available as separate documents on the MSPP website.



The Future Use Zoning Plan also identifies an area that may be brought forward as an SPA (Liverpool Bay SPA) and habitat types that meet the definitions of habitats in Annex 1 of the Habitats Directive and thus constitute areas that may be suitable for designation as SACs. It has been assumed that new development in such areas will not be precluded where such uses will not prejudice achievement of nature conservation objectives. However, other areas outside of designated site boundaries might generally be seen as preferable because of requirements to consider alternative locations and Imperative Reasons of Over-Riding Public Interest (IROPI), where new developments are judged to have an adverse effect on site integrity under the Conservation (Natural Habitats & c.) Regulations 1994.]



4. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES The Irish Sea contains a wealth of economic, environmental and social resources. This chapter sets out how these resources would be managed at a regional scale. 4.1 Cultural Heritage Resources Cultural heritage resources in the maritime environment include the following features (BMAPA & English Heritage, 2003): Landscapes of historical, cultural or archaeological significance; Material assets including the archaeological heritage (such as artefacts, wrecks,

prehistoric sites, deposits of palaeo-environmental interest; and The inter-relationship between the archaeological heritage and other aspects of the

environment. There exist a number of ways to afford protection to cultural heritage resources. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has UK policy responsibility for internationally designated World Heritage Sites and Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. English Heritage, Cadw, Historic Scotland and DoE(NI) act as heritage advisors within their respective territories and territorial waters with responsibility for national heritage protection as provided through scheduling ancient monuments, the listing of historic buildings and casework associated with the management of shipwrecks of national importance. The Irish Sea hosts a rich and diverse cultural heritage, there are many hundreds of wrecks on the seabed that we know of, comprising both ships and aircraft, but only a small proportion are known in detail and of these only three in Welsh territorial waters are designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 (Figure A3.1). The seabed is also of palaeo-environmental interest, particularly areas that were once dry land during ice age conditions and where there is potential for a wide range of buried deposits of archaeological interest. In the coastal environment there are also numerous structures of national archaeological and historical interest (Figure A3.2), DCMS has undertaken a consultation exercise on marine heritage protection in the UK and is now in the process of setting up working groups in partnership with the Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly Government and Department of the Environment Northern Ireland to examine the issues raised by the consultation exercise. As our understanding of cultural heritage resources in the Irish Sea expands through initiatives supported by the Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund, such as the Historic Seascapes project, a precautionary approach needs to be applied to new activities and developments with the potential to disturb these resources. This is best delivered by ensuring adequate provision for archaeological survey and analysis within preferred development areas to enable reporting of the known archaeological interest and to enable determination of the archaeological potential. The two primary documents to assist this process are Marine Aggregate Dredging and the Historic Environment: guidance note (BMAPA & English Heritage, 2003) and Code of Practice for Seabed Developers (JNAPC, 2005 public consultation draft).



While there is extensive planning guidance in relation to cultural heritage on land, there is currently little guidance relating to marine heritage. For example, local planning authorities in PPG 15 ‘planning and the historic environment’ and 16 ‘archaeology and planning’ are given government advice that whenever practicable important historic sites should be preserved. It must be recognised however, that in the particular context of coastal defence in a dynamic environment, this objective may not always be achievable or sustainable in the long term. In instances involving nationally important sites - the feasibility, long-term sustainability and cost effectiveness to protect the asset in situ must be considered case-by-case (English Heritage, 2003). PPG20 ‘Coastal Planning’ also has a policy objective to conserve, protect and enhance the natural beauty of the coasts, including heritage features of archaeological interest. SMP Guidance also indicates that SMPs should take account of the historic environment in the policy appraisal process, and consider, at an appropriate level of detail, the full range of historic environmental issues, including marine archaeological remains. Policy ER1 Sites with international and national heritage designations in the plan area (e.g. World Heritage Sites, scheduled ancient monuments, protected wrecks), including sites and/or areas within the territorial waters of the Isle of Man will be afforded the strongest levels of protection. Areas of high archaeological potential that may be suitable for selection as cultural maritime sites in the future will be treated with care to ensure that they are not damaged or altered in such a way that might affect site selection. All proposed developments in the maritime environment are to take account of the historic environment, and consider, at an appropriate level of detail, the full range of historic environmental issues, including known and potential marine archaeological importance. Developers in the marine environment are encouraged to adopt the Joint Nautical Archaeological Policy Committee Code of Practice for Seabed Development and British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) & English Heritage Marine Aggregate Dredging and the Historic Environment: guidance note. Objectives To preserve and enhance the marine historic environment; To protect archaeological remains and other marine historic assets which are a finite

and non-renewable resource; To ensure active management of the Region’s marine cultural heritage; Enable concerted action between key maritime stakeholders to sustain the historic

environment; Ensure that the coastal setting of the historic environment is not compromised by

inappropriate development; Increase knowledge about our shared maritime historic environment to a wide

audience; Develop a shared appreciation of the resource spanning national maritime boundaries;

and Develop new techniques to aid determination of significance and appropriate

conservation management.



Targets and Indicators

Measure Target/Indicator Source Number of marine designated sites (wrecks, war graves, scheduled monuments)

Indicator

Historic Seascape Characterisation published for the English Territorial Sea

Target

Avoidance of disturbance to maritime designated sites

Indicator

Number of marine designated sites Indicator DCMS/WAG/Scottish Government/ Northern Ireland Assembly

Management plans published for sites protected under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973

Target English Heritage/CADW*/Historic Scotland/Environment & Heritage Service Northern Ireland

4.2 Biodiversity, Geological and Nature Conservation A wide range in international, European and national policies and agreements govern the protection of biodiversity and geological and nature conservation. Responsibility for biodiversity, geological and nature conservation within UK territorial waters is a devolved matter with day-to-day responsibility resting with the national nature conservation agencies. Beyond 12nm, Defra is responsible for UK waters, supported by JNCC. A wide range of other statutory bodies has conservation duties, in particular, the national environment agencies. The Irish Sea supports a wide range of habitats and species of nature conservation importance, many of which are subject to national and international nature conservation designation. Within the plan area there are currently 10 marine SPAs, 11 marine SACs, 7 Ramsar sites, 1 MNR and numerous SSSIs/ASSIs (Figures A3.3 and A3.4). Where these areas occur within the boundaries of Water Framework Directive River Basin Districts, the conservation objectives will be incorporated into the relevant River Basin Management Plan as Protected area objectives. Work is underway to identify additional offshore SPAs and SACs both beyond 12nm and within the territorial waters of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland based on information on the location of qualifying habitats (Figure A3.5). The Government is also committed (through OSPAR and WSSD commitments) to establishing a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) by 2010/2012 . [For the purposes of the regional plan pilot a scenario has been run to develop an indicative MPA network based on an assumed objective of identifying 20 to 30% of the area of representative habitats in the plan area (Figure A3.6).] The sea bed of the plan area supports a range of benthic habitats including gravel, sand, mud and rock habitats and biogenic reefs (e.g. Sabellaria alveolata, Modiolus modiolus). The area is also important for a wide range of marine birds of national and international marine importance. The area is relatively unimportant for marine mammals with only harbour porpoise, common and grey seals having a significant presence.



Policy ER2 Biodiversity, Geological and Nature Conservation Sites with international and national nature or geological conservation designations in the plan area (Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Ramsar Sites, National Nature Reserves, Marine Nature Reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Areas of Special Scientific Interest), together with statutorily protected species, will be afforded the strongest levels of protection. The overall geological and nature conservation resource in the plan area will be protected and improved through conservation, restoration and re-establishment of key resources by: Affording the highest level of protection and management to those resources

which are important and irreplaceable within practical time scales or are particularly sensitive to human activity;

Ensuring that there is no net loss in the value of other biodiversity resources in the plan area;

Restoring and re-establishing habitats and species in accordance with targets in the UK, Regional and Local Biodiversity Action Plans;

Implementing time limited exclusion zones for species at sensitive life stages where appropriate.

Areas supporting features that may be suitable for selection as Natura 2000 sites will be treated with care to ensure that they are not damaged or altered in such a way that might affect site selection. Areas identified as MPAs will be managed in accordance with their conservation objectives. [It is assumed that the conservation objectives for these representative areas will vary from location to location. For example, it is anticipated that policies might range from strict protection through to multiple use, depending on the sensitivity of particular habitats to human activity. Where MPA boundaries are coincident with areas already designated as SSSI or international sites, the stricter of the designated site objectives would apply.] The Marine Agency will actively co-operate with conservation agencies and other relevant bodies to achieve nature conservation objectives. Objectives To safeguard and enhance the seabed, shore and marine water bodies so that they

can support their characteristic natural processes, habitats and species, and geological features;

To identify in advance and, as far as possible, avoid adverse impacts upon natural heritage resources which could arise cumulatively from development and other activities on the coast and at sea.

To manage the use of marine and coastal resources in sympathy with natural processes taking climate change effects into account

To provide for the safeguard, recovery and restoration of marine ecosystems and the biodiversity they support



To provide for the safeguard, recovery and restoration of internationally, nationally, regionally (and locally) important areas, habitats and species, including those that are the subject of Biodiversity Action Plan targets

To facilitate the establishment of an ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas within the context of the management of the wider marine environment. Such areas would provide for the protection of representative habitats and species and other aspects of the natural heritage (e.g. geological features and landscapes) and make appropriate provision for access.

the purpose of marine protected areas would be to achieve the conservation objectives of the features for which they were established

levels of protection will vary according to circumstances, ranging from strict protection to sustainable use

wider benefits beyond conservation are explored and optimised and account taken of the need to provide insurance against mismanagement and also as reference areas.


Measure Target/Indicator Source Halt decline of biodiversity by 2010 Target

6th Environment Action Programme (Pending)

Biodiversity conservation (a) priority species (b) priority habitat status

Indicator UK Sustainable Development Indicators 2005 (Adopted)

Marine biodiversity status Indicator England Biodiversity Strategy M4 (in preparation)

95% of SSSIs in favourable condition by 2010

Target Public Service Agreement target 2005-2008; (Adopted)

UK fish stocks fished within safe limits Indicator England Biodiversity Strategy H6 (Adopted); Sustainable Development for Scotland (Adopted)

Populations of coastal and sea birds Indicator England Biodiversity Strategy M1 (Adopted)

Condition of coastal SSSIs Indicator England Biodiversity Strategy M2 (Adopted)

Status of coastal and marine BAP priority species and habitats

Indicator England Biodiversity Strategy M3 (Adopted)

Levels of cetacean by-catch in UK waters Indicator England Biodiversity Strategy M6 (Adopted)

Bird population indices (a) farmland birds (b) woodland birds (c) birds of coasts and estuaries (d) wintering wetland birds

Indicator UK Sustainable Development Indicators 2005 (Adopted)

Percentages of Biodiversity Action Plan species and habitats which are identified as stable or increasing

Indicator Sustainable development for Scotland (Adopted)

Presence and extent of threatened and declining species in the North Sea

Indicator OSPAR EcoQO - Threatened and declining species (under development; comparable indicator could be established for Irish Sea)

To complete suite of Natura 2000 sites for Irish Sea by [20xx]. Site features to be in favourable condition by 2015[?]

Target Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and Birds Directives (79/409/EEC) (Site selection ongoing; favourable condition deadline driven by WFD objectives in relevant areas)

To achieve good status for biological quality elements by 2015. To avoid deterioration in existing ecological status class

Target EC Water Framework Directive 200/60/EC (specific RBMP targets to be developed by 2009)



Measure Target/Indicator Source No decline in population size or pup production ≥10% over a period of up to 10 years.

Target OSPAR EcoQO - Sea mammals (Being tested in North Sea - could be adapted to Irish Sea)

Seal population trends in the North Sea Indicator OSPAR EcoQO - Sea mammals (Being tested in North Sea - could be adapted to Irish Sea)

Utilisation of seal breeding sites in the North Sea

Indicator OSPAR EcoQO - Sea mammals (Under development - could be adapted to Irish Sea)

Annual by-catch levels should be reduced to levels below 1.7% of the best population estimate

Target OSPAR EcoQO - Sea mammals (Currently being tested - could be adapted to Irish Sea)

Seabird population trends as an index of seabird community health

Indicator OSPAR EcoQO - Seabirds (Under development)

Changes in the proportion of large fish and hence the average weight and average maximum length of the fish community

Indicator OSPAR EcoQO - Fish communities (Under development)

Density of sensitive (e.g. fragile species) Indicator OSPAR EcoQO - Benthic communities (under development)

Density of opportunistic species Indicator OSPAR EcoQO - Benthic communities (under development)

Restore and/or maintain habitat quality Indicator OSPAR EcoQO - Habitats (under development)

Targets established in BAP habitat (45) and species (391) action plans at national, regional and local levels. In NW Region targets exist for maritime cliff and slope, coastal vegetated shingle, coastal sand dunes, coastal saltmarsh, mudflats, saline lagoons, seagrass beds and Sabellaria alveolata reefs. The target include the recreation of 70ha saltmarsh and 600ha of mudflat by 2015 and 20ha of saline lagoons by 2010

Target UK BAP/RPG13 Appendix 1, local BAPs (Anglesey, Cheshire, Conwy, Cumbria, Denbighshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Lancashire, Manx, North Merseyside)

[It is not the intention of MSP that nature conservation targets should dominate the plan. Nevertheless, the above list of targets/indicators that have already been adopted or are in the process of being tested illustrates the range of targets that are likely to be in place in the future irrespective of the introduction of MSP.] 4.3 Oil & Gas Within the Irish Sea, oil and gas is among the most important of marine-related economic activities with a total revenue in 2001 of £1.56 billion. Oil and gas production from the Irish Sea is currently all within UK waters, and derived from the north-eastern Irish Sea. The Morecambe gas field (Figure A3.7), the second largest in the UK, discovered in 1974, was the only commercial exploration success within the East Irish Sea Basin until the discovery of the Hamilton, Douglas, Hamilton North and Lennox fields between 1990 and 1992. These fields, known collectively as the Liverpool Bay Complex, started gas production to the Point of Ayr terminal in 1995 (Figure A3.7).



Gas production from the area contributed 13.6% of total UK gas production, with Irish Sea oil providing some 2.77% of total UK oil production (2001 data). The number of people directly employed in activities relating to oil and gas production in the Irish Sea is in the order of 700-1000. These include about 350 people employed offshore, and some 450 people employed at the Heysham support base and the Barrow and Point of Ayr gas terminals. DTI is responsible for licensing oil and gas exploration and production within the limits of the UK Continental Shelf. Licences for specific areas are awarded following a competitive tendering process. The licences are awarded subject to the developer obtaining the necessary environmental consents and permits. Detailed safety case assessments are also required to be approved by the Health & Safety Executive prior to commissioning facilities and pipelines. It is a requirement of the Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction etc.) Regulations 1996 that suitable arrangements are in place to maintain facilities and pipelines as and when necessary. Seismic surveys may be undertaken outside of licensed areas to determine the prospectivity of an area. These surveys are subject to control and guidance (JNCC Guidelines for minimising acoustic disturbance to marine mammals from seismic surveys), although there is no regulatory provision for consent within territorial waters. Access to oil & gas platforms by operational staff are largely by helicopter from Blackpool or Heysham (Figure A3.7). Safety considerations require the maintenance of a 6nm mile obstacle free zone around offshore platforms to allow for the safe operation of associated instrument approaches. This precludes the construction of significant above surface infrastructure within these zones. The issues to be taken into account in considering decommissioning of oil & gas structures and pipelines is set out in the Government’s Guidance Notes for Industry on the Decommissioning of Offshore Installations and Pipelines (Offshore Decommissioning Unit, 2000) An SEA for further possible oil & gas licensing rounds in the Irish Sea is nearing completion (SEA 6). Policy ER3 Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Areas currently licensed for oil and/or gas production will be safeguarded and access to facilities and associated pipelines and cables for maintenance purposes will not be denied for the operational lifetime of the assets. Seismic surveys to assess the prospectivity of an area will be conducted with due regard for safety and environmental considerations and risks will be minimised as far as reasonably practicable. Oil and gas exploration and production within the plan area will be supported in areas identified as suitable following SEA, subject to: Formal invitation from DTI for application to “search, bore for or get“ oil or gas

in the UK within areas identified during licensing round; Evaluation of the findings from environmental impact assessment;



Compliance with the requirements of the Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipelines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999 , the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/1754), the Habitats Regulations (for locations within or in the vicinity of designated or proposed SPAs, SACs or Ramsar sites, or affecting species protected under these Regulations);

Satisfactory resolution of potential conflicts with shipping, non-energy mineral extraction, fisheries or other site-specific interests.

Obstacle free zones will be maintained for a distance of 6nm around offshore helicopter destinations. Helicopter main routes between Blackpool and Heysham and the offshore platforms will be safeguarded where practicable. The environmental impact of any installation activities will be assessed during the design and planning phase of new facilities, which involves consultation in accordance with the requirements of the licensing bodies. Options for decommissioning of oil & gas structures and pipelines will be pursued in accordance with existing guidance. Objectives To exploit oil and gas reserves in the Irish Sea in a sustainable manner


Measure Target/Indicator Source Amounts of oil and gas produced Indicator

Value of oil and gas produced Indicator Number of jobs created/supported Indicator Estimated identified reserves remaining Indicator Estimated duration of reserves at prevailing rates of supply

Indicator

4.4 Renewable Energy The Energy White Paper ‘Our Energy Future - Creating a Low Carbon Economy (DTI, 2003) highlights the role of renewable energy in reducing emissions of CO2. The White Paper includes a commitment to supply 10% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2010, 15% by 2015 and 20% by 2020, with a longer term aim of reducing CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050. These UK level targets are supported by a range of national and regionally derived targets, for example, the North West Sustainable Energy Strategy sets a target of supplying 10% of the region’s electricity from renewable sources by 2010 and achieving a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050. No specific targets have yet been established for marine renewables in the Irish Sea. The Irish Sea has significant potential as a location for offshore wind and tidal stream renewable energy developments. However, wave energy resources are generally not suitable for exploitation. The Marine Renewable Energy Atlas (ABPmer, 2004) identifies exploitable



wind resources over much of the Irish Sea. Exploitable tidal stream resources are located to the north of Anglesey and to the north of the Isle of Man with more localised resources in Morecambe Bay and the Solway Firth. The licensing of renewable energy developments can currently follow one of two routes. Consent is either sought under section 36 of the Electricity Act, 1989 (and section 34 of the Coast Protection Act (CPA) 1949); or under Section 3 of the Transport and Works Act 1992. In both cases, a licence under Section 5 of the Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) 1985 is also required. Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 requires developers to obtain a consent from DTI for offshore renewable energy proposals above 1 megawatt capacity in waters around England and Wales, except those applications under the Transport and Works Act 1992 in Welsh waters where the Welsh Assembly Government makes the Order. Section 36 consent for generating stations located in territorial waters adjacent to Scotland rest with Scottish Ministers. The Scottish Executive’s powers under the Act were extended on 1 December 2001 by means of a Statutory Instrument (SI 2001/3642) to cover all offshore wind and water-driven developments of above 1 megawatt capacity. The Transport and Works Act does not extend to Scotland where developers require a private bill under sections 28 and 29 of the Scotland Act 1998. Responsibility for the consent process for wind farms off the coast of Northern Ireland lies with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (NI) under the provisions of Article 39 of the Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992. In common with the rest of the UK, additional consent is required under the provisions of Section 5 of the Food and Environmental Protection Act (FEPA) 1985 for any activities that result in the deposition of any material in the marine environment below the mean high water springs (MHWS). FEPA licences are granted by the Department of the Environment (NI). The Energy Act 2004 extends the requirement for the Electricity Act consent to proposals beyond UK territorial waters and establishes a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), adjacent to the UK’s territorial waters, within which renewable energy installations can be developed. The Act also provides for navigation matters within Section 36, giving Ministers the power to extinguish public rights of navigation in territorial waters. As a result, it will no longer be necessary to obtain orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992 to achieve this. The Act enables the Crown Estate to award licences for wind farm sites in the REZ on much the same basis as it currently leases sites within territorial waters, sea bed leases being allocated to developers by the Crown following competitive tendering. Two such licensing rounds have been undertaken for offshore wind to date. Seven offshore wind farms were proposed under the 1st licensing round. To date three of these schemes has been constructed (North Hoyle, Scroby Sands and Kentish Flats), with a further 6 schemes planned for construction in 2005/06) (Figure A3.8). These schemes each comprise 30 turbines, as limited by the Round 1 lease arrangements, generating between 60 and 150MW, though one scheme in the Irish Sea, Robin Rigg, comprises 60 turbines, with a design energy generating capacity of 216MW. Shell Flat OWF which is proposed to comprise 90 turbines generating 324MW is still under consideration. A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was undertaken to inform the selection of preferred locations for round 2 OWF developments in English and Welsh waters. This identified the Liverpool Bay Strategic Area within the Irish Sea as potentially suitable for wind-farm



development (Figure xx). As part of this SEA, DTI established an exclusion zone around the coastline of England and Wales, preventing the development of offshore wind farms inside a line extending 8 to 13km offshore to reduce visual impact and avoid sensitive shallow water feeding areas for Common Scoter (Figure A3.8). Risk zones in relation to national air traffic services have also been identified (Figure A3.9). Under the 2nd licensing round for OWF, proposals are also being taken forward for 3 much larger schemes under the 2nd licensing round (Walney, West Duddon and Gwynt Y Mor) (Figure A3.8). These schemes comprise approximately 100 up to 250 turbines generating between 450MW and 750MW for which applications are anticipated to be submitted in 2006/07. SEA6 for Oil & Gas in the Irish Sea, which is nearing completion, is also collecting information that would inform a future renewable energy licensing round in the area. for the Irish Sea (SEA 6). No specific commercial scale development proposals for tidal stream energy have been brought forward within the Irish Sea to date, although such applications are likely to come forward during the next decade as the technology matures. [A scenario has been tested in the plan that assumes a target of producing 1.2GW from tidal stream sources and seeks to identify preferred locations for tidal stream development in the Irish Sea (Figure A3.10)]. Policy ER4 Renewable Energy Proposals for renewable energy developments within the plan area will

irish sea pilot regional plan · policy hierarchy for irish sea regional plan.....19 4. integration...

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