Guidance

Marine planning - statement of public participation

Updated 15 January 2024

1. About the Statement of Public Participation

A Statement of Public Participation (SPP) is required for each marine plan area under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009

The Statement of Public Participation (SPP) sets out how, when and why we will engage with stakeholders during the marine planning process and what we will do with the outcomes of any views and opinions. It ensures transparency around how we will consult throughout the development of a marine plan.

All draft SPPs are subject to public consultation before they are submitted to the Secretary of State for approval to publish under Schedule 6 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. The publication of an SPP formally commences the start of the marine planning process in the relevant marine plan area.

If an SPP is amended during the marine planning process, any revisions must be approved by the Secretary of State before being published.

2. Principles of engagement

The SPP follows our principles of engagement. These are set out below.

We will:

• involve people early on in the marine planning process and in developing policy within the framework provided by the Marine Policy Statement
• engage with interested people and organisations at the appropriate time using effective engagement methods and allowing sufficient time for meaningful consultation
• be adaptable, recognising that different consultation methods work for different people and that a “one size fits all” approach will not work
• respect the diversity of people and their lifestyles and give people a fair chance to have their voice heard regardless of gender, age, race, abilities, sexual orientation, circumstances or where they live
• be clear in the purpose and timing of any engagement, and how you may contribute
• let people know how their views have been taken into account within agreed timescales
• make documents publicly available on our website
• communicate clearly with people using plain English and avoiding jargon and acronyms as much as possible.

3. Engagement channels and activities

We use a range of methods to engage and communicate with stakeholders at each stage of the marine planning process. These include, but are not limited to:

Face to face	Digital	Direct
meetings	gov.uk website	email
bespoke workshops	social media	newsletters
consultation events	webinars	questionnaires
stakeholder events	videos / animations	consultations
	blogs
	Explore Marine Plans

We recognise that not all these channels will be appropriate to all stakeholders, so will always use a mix of these to ensure engagement is inclusive and accessible. All activity will meet government accessibility standards, including plain English.

4. Interest groups

Marine plans are for anyone who has an interest in the marine plan areas and are relevant to a wide range of stakeholders. We are committed to engaging with representatives from a wide range of interest groups. This includes:

• academic institutes
• aquaculture
• bordering nations and administrations
• cabling
• coastal change, flood and coastal erosion risk management
• defence and national security
• ecology and biodiversity
• energy production
• fisheries
• government departments
• historic environment
• infrastructure development
• land and seabed owners and managers
• local communities and elected members
• local councils and other public authorities
• marine aggregates
• marine conservation
• marine dredging and disposal
• non-governmental organisations
• partnerships and interest groups
• ports and shipping
• seascape and landscape
• telecommunications and cabling
• tourism and recreation
• waste water treatment and disposal

5.  Our stakeholders

In addition to interest groups there are a number of sectors which have a specific interest the marine planning process. These sectors have an important role in development marine plans and we are committed to engaging with representatives from each of these sectors. They include:

5.1 Bordering nations and administrations:

English marine plans must take account of relevant policies and developing marine plans of bordering nations. This includes Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as the neighbouring member states Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and Norway. They also take account of the British Crown dependencies of Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

5.2 Coastal partnerships

Coastal partnerships and fora represent a wide range of interests and expertise. They are varied in nature and geographic coverage, but all play an important role in the integration and management of actions and activities at the coast.

5.3 Delivery partners

Delivery partners are important to the development and implementation of marine plans. In particular they can provide data, expert knowledge and local information. They include:

• Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
• Historic England
• Historic Environment Scotland
• Harbour authorities
• Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities
• Joint Nature Conservation Committee
• Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Natural England
• NatureScot
• Planning Inspectorate
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• The Crown Estate
• The Environment Agency

5.4 Local communities, local interest groups and the general public

Local communities and interest groups have a wealth of local knowledge, essential to developing responsive and meaningful marine plans.

5.5 Government departments

Government departments play an important role in the development of marine plans and they will be engaged throughout the marine planning process.

A cross-government project board will be established to support the Marine Management Organisation in the development of marine plans. It includes representatives from the following departments, and The Crown Estate:

• Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs
• Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
• Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities
• Department for Transport
• Ministry of Defence

We will also engage with other departments with an interest in marine planning, including:

• Department for Business and Trade
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Department for Work and Pensions

5.6  Industry representative groups

Industry groups represent a number of sectors, such as fisheries, aggregates and renewable energy. They are an essential link to industry and are able to voice issues and opportunities that marine planning should consider.

5.7  Local authorities and other public authorities

Local and public authorities involvement is an essential part of developing marine plans. Marine planning has important links and interactions with land-use planning. It is important that marine plans can be applied within existing planning systems and are integrated with relevant plans within local development frameworks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty plans and other plans such as river basin management plans, shoreline management plans.

Elected Members also play an important part, representing the interests of their local communities.

5.8  Non-governmental organisations

The third sector, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), has significant experience in ensuring that conservation and environmental sustainability is represented in planning decisions. They represent a wide range of interest groups and individuals and include organisations such as the Wildlife and Countryside Link, Royal Society of the Protection of Birds, WWF-UK.

5.9  Opportunity for all

As we progress through the marine planning process, we will continually identify new stakeholders and interested individuals taking into account their interests and views during the planning process.

If you or your organisation would like to get involved, please email planning@marinemanagement.org.uk to be added to our distribution list.