Under Section 58 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, all public authorities making decisions that affect, or might affect, the UK marine area must consider the relevant marine plan.
In response to this, between 12 November and 12 December 2024, stakeholders were invited to participate in our marine plan user training sessions. These sessions aimed to provide stakeholders with a clearer understanding of marine plans and how to use them effectively in application and decision-making processes.
The training sessions saw excellent engagement, with 454 participants—335 attending online and 119 in person. These events sparked meaningful discussions between stakeholders and the marine planning team, strengthening relationships and fostering collaboration.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in these sessions. Your input and engagement are invaluable to the success of marine planning.
We are also pleased to announce the publication of updated marine plan user guidance. This includes revised Section 58(1) and (3) Hypothetical Examples and a Guide for Local Authorities. Additionally, new guidance has been published to cover other marine plans, sector-specific issues, and common challenges in marine plan policy assessments.
Thank you for your continued interest and support in marine planning.
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