Country information
Basic facts on marine waters
- Territorial sea (12 nm zone): 51 577.03 km²
- Exclusive Economic Zone in km²: 178 591.46 km²
Strategic documents related to MSP
Technical resources related to MSP
Current status of MSP
Name of the plan |
East Inshore and East Offshore Marine Plans |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
2014 |
Size of planning area in km2
|
58 580.24 km² |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs(Defra) retains certain functions, including the adoption of marine plans. |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning
|
Completed |
Assessments for planning
|
Completed |
Plan development
|
Completed |
Plan completion
|
Completed |
Plan approval
|
Completed |
Plan implementation
|
Completed |
Plan review
|
Underway |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (1 = Local / 2 = Sub-national / 3 = National)
|
Sub-national |
Scope (1 = Coastal Zone / 2 = Coastal and Marine / 3 = Marine)
|
Coastal and Marine |
Purpose (1 = Strategic / 2 = Zoning / 3 = Comprehensive)
|
Strategic |
Political commitment (1 = Informal / 2 = Executive decision / 3= Legal statute)
|
Legal statute |
Implementation framework (1 = Guiding / 2 = Legally binding)
|
Legally binding |
Main objectives (1 = Biodiversity conservation / 2 = Economic development / 3 = Multiple objectives)
|
Multiple objectives |
Spatial allocation (1 = Limited / 2 = Partial allocation / 3 =Detailed allocation)
|
Limited |
Stakeholders involved (1 = Limited / 2 = Key sectors / 3 =Sectors & Public)
|
Sectors & Public |
Participatory process (1 = Informative / 2 = Consultative / 3 =Collaborative)
|
Collaborative |
Funding (1= Government / 2 = Public-Private / 3 = Grants)
|
Government |
Name of the plan |
South Inshore and Offshore Marine Plans |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
2018 |
Size of planning area in km2
|
21 354.59 km² |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) retains certain functions, including the adoption of marine plans. |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning
|
Completed |
Assessments for planning
|
Completed |
Plan development
|
Completed |
Plan completion
|
Completed |
Plan approval
|
Completed |
Plan implementation
|
Completed |
Plan review
|
Completed |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (1 = Local / 2 = Sub-national / 3 = National)
|
Sub-national |
Scope (1 = Coastal Zone / 2 = Coastal and Marine / 3 = Marine)
|
Coastal zone |
Purpose (1 = Strategic / 2 = Zoning / 3 = Comprehensive)
|
Zoning |
Political commitment (1 = Informal / 2 = Executive decision / 3= Legal statute)
|
Legal statute |
Implementation framework (1 = Guiding / 2 = Legally binding)
|
Legally binding |
Main objectives (1 = Biodiversity conservation / 2 = Economic development / 3 = Multiple objectives)
|
Multiple objectives |
Spatial allocation (1 = Limited / 2 = Partial allocation / 3 =Detailed allocation)
|
Limited |
Stakeholders involved (1 = Limited / 2 = Key sectors / 3 =Sectors & Public)
|
Sectors & Public |
Participatory process (1 = Informative / 2 = Consultative / 3 =Collaborative)
|
Collaborative |
Funding (1= Government / 2 = Public-Private / 3 = Grants)
|
Government |
Name of the plan |
South East Inshore Marine Plan |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
2021 |
Size of planning area in km2
|
3 871.55 km² |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) retains certain functions, including the adoption of marine plans. |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning
|
Completed |
Assessments for planning
|
Completed |
Plan development
|
Completed |
Plan completion
|
Completed |
Plan approval
|
Completed |
Plan implementation
|
Completed |
Plan review
|
Completed |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (1 = Local / 2 = Sub-national / 3 = National)
|
Sub-national |
Scope (1 = Coastal Zone / 2 = Coastal and Marine / 3 = Marine)
|
Coastal and Marine |
Purpose (1 = Strategic / 2 = Zoning / 3 = Comprehensive)
|
Strategic |
Political commitment (1 = Informal / 2 = Executive decision / 3= Legal statute)
|
Legal statute |
Implementation framework (1 = Guiding / 2 = Legally binding)
|
Legally binding |
Main objectives (1 = Biodiversity conservation / 2 = Economic development / 3 = Multiple objectives)
|
Multiple objectives |
Spatial allocation (1 = Limited / 2 = Partial allocation / 3 =Detailed allocation)
|
Limited |
Stakeholders involved (1 = Limited / 2 = Key sectors / 3 =Sectors & Public)
|
Sectors & Public |
Participatory process (1 = Informative / 2 = Consultative / 3 =Collaborative)
|
Collaborative |
Funding (1= Government / 2 = Public-Private / 3 = Grants)
|
Government |
Name of the plan |
South West Inshore and South West Offshore Marine Plans |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
2021 |
Size of planning area in km2
|
84 176.08 km² |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) retains certain functions, including the adoption of marine plans. |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning
|
Completed |
Assessments for planning
|
Completed |
Plan development
|
Completed |
Plan completion
|
Completed |
Plan approval
|
Completed |
Plan implementation
|
Completed |
Plan review
|
Completed |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (1 = Local / 2 = Sub-national / 3 = National)
|
Sub-national |
Scope (1 = Coastal Zone / 2 = Coastal and Marine / 3 = Marine)
|
Coastal and Marine |
Purpose (1 = Strategic / 2 = Zoning / 3 = Comprehensive)
|
Strategic |
Political commitment (1 = Informal / 2 = Executive decision / 3= Legal statute)
|
Legal statute |
Implementation framework (1 = Guiding / 2 = Legally binding)
|
Legally binding |
Main objectives (1 = Biodiversity conservation / 2 = Economic development / 3 = Multiple objectives)
|
Multiple objectives |
Spatial allocation (1 = Limited / 2 = Partial allocation / 3 =Detailed allocation)
|
Limited |
Stakeholders involved (1 = Limited / 2 = Key sectors / 3 =Sectors & Public)
|
Sectors & Public |
Participatory process (1 = Informative / 2 = Consultative / 3 =Collaborative)
|
Collaborative |
Funding (1= Government / 2 = Public-Private / 3 = Grants)
|
Government |
Name of the plan |
North East Inshore and North East Offshore Marine Plans |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
2021 |
Size of planning area in km2
|
55 111.02 km² |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) retains certain functions, including the adoption of marine plans. |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning
|
Completed |
Assessments for planning
|
Completed |
Plan development
|
Completed |
Plan completion
|
Completed |
Plan approval
|
Completed |
Plan implementation
|
Completed |
Plan review
|
Completed |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (1 = Local / 2 = Sub-national / 3 = National)
|
Sub-national |
Scope (1 = Coastal Zone / 2 = Coastal and Marine / 3 = Marine)
|
Coastal and Marine |
Purpose (1 = Strategic / 2 = Zoning / 3 = Comprehensive)
|
Strategic |
Political commitment (1 = Informal / 2 = Executive decision / 3= Legal statute)
|
Legal statute |
Implementation framework (1 = Guiding / 2 = Legally binding)
|
Legally binding |
Main objectives (1 = Biodiversity conservation / 2 = Economic development / 3 = Multiple objectives)
|
Multiple objectives |
Spatial allocation (1 = Limited / 2 = Partial allocation / 3 =Detailed allocation)
|
Limited |
Stakeholders involved (1 = Limited / 2 = Key sectors / 3 =Sectors & Public)
|
Sectors & Public |
Participatory process (1 = Informative / 2 = Consultative / 3 =Collaborative)
|
Collaborative |
Funding (1= Government / 2 = Public-Private / 3 = Grants)
|
Government |
Name of the plan |
North West Inshore and North West Offshore Marine Plan |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
2021 |
Size of planning area in km2
|
7 075.01 km² |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) retains certain functions, including the adoption of marine plans. |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning
|
Completed |
Assessments for planning
|
Completed |
Plan development
|
Completed |
Plan completion
|
Completed |
Plan approval
|
Completed |
Plan implementation
|
Completed |
Plan review
|
Completed |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (1 = Local / 2 = Sub-national / 3 = National)
|
Sub-national |
Scope (1 = Coastal Zone / 2 = Coastal and Marine / 3 = Marine)
|
Coastal and Marine |
Purpose (1 = Strategic / 2 = Zoning / 3 = Comprehensive)
|
Strategic |
Political commitment (1 = Informal / 2 = Executive decision / 3= Legal statute)
|
Legal statute |
Implementation framework (1 = Guiding / 2 = Legally binding)
|
Legally binding |
Main objectives (1 = Biodiversity conservation / 2 = Economic development / 3 = Multiple objectives)
|
Multiple objectives |
Spatial allocation (1 = Limited / 2 = Partial allocation / 3 =Detailed allocation)
|
Limited |
Stakeholders involved (1 = Limited / 2 = Key sectors / 3 =Sectors & Public)
|
Sectors & Public |
Participatory process (1 = Informative / 2 = Consultative / 3 =Collaborative)
|
Collaborative |
Funding (1= Government / 2 = Public-Private / 3 = Grants)
|
Government |
Name of the plan |
East Marine Plan (replacement – in preparation) |
|---|---|
Year of approval
|
Not yet completed, plan still in preparation. |
Size of planning area in km2
|
58 580.24 km² |
Authority leading the MSP process
|
Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) retains certain functions, including the adoption of marine plans. |
Current status |
|
|---|---|
Pre-planning
|
Completed |
Assessments for planning
|
Completed |
Plan development
|
Underway |
Plan completion
|
N/A |
Plan approval
|
N/A |
Plan implementation
|
Underway |
Plan review
|
N/A |
MSP Typology |
|
|---|---|
Scale (1 = Local / 2 = Sub-national / 3 = National)
|
N/A |
Scope (1 = Coastal Zone / 2 = Coastal and Marine / 3 = Marine)
|
N/A |
Purpose (1 = Strategic / 2 = Zoning / 3 = Comprehensive)
|
N/A |
Political commitment (1 = Informal / 2 = Executive decision / 3= Legal statute)
|
N/A |
Implementation framework (1 = Guiding / 2 = Legally binding)
|
N/A |
Main objectives (1 = Biodiversity conservation / 2 = Economic development / 3 = Multiple objectives)
|
N/A |
Spatial allocation (1 = Limited / 2 = Partial allocation / 3 =Detailed allocation)
|
N/A |
Stakeholders involved (1 = Limited / 2 = Key sectors / 3 =Sectors & Public)
|
N/A |
Participatory process (1 = Informative / 2 = Consultative / 3 =Collaborative)
|
N/A |
Funding (1= Government / 2 = Public-Private / 3 = Grants)
|
N/A |
National authority in charge of MSP |
Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) retains certain functions, including the adoption of marine plans. |
Governmental funding |
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is MMO’s lead sponsor and provides funding through Grant-in-Aid. |
External funding |
N/A |
Public-Private funding |
N/A |
Total size of planning area |
230 168.49 km² |
Time required to complete the planning document |
Average ~ 3 – 4 years. East Marine Plan: four years (2011-2014). South Marine Plan: four years (2014-2018). South East, South West, North West and North East Marine Plans: four years (2016-2021) – all completed concurrently over the same four-year period. The first published version of all plans were produced during the period 2011-2021. |
Main issues that led to the adoption of MSP (drivers) |
The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 is the legislative driver behind the adoption of marine plans in England. Enabling efficient use of space and coexistence, enabling communication and negotiation between different stakeholders in the marine area; giving greater certainty to those seeking development consent within the marine area; safeguarding of future marine resources; and general sustainable development of the English marine area are all drivers for MSP. |
Stakeholder engagement activities |
Understanding the UK’s national priorities and working with key partners such as government departments, devolved administrations and industry experts is essential to the delivery of marine planning in England. We engage with a wide range of stakeholders, covering a broad range of sectors, including during plan development, implementation, and in monitoring of the marine plans. For the preparation of each marine plan, a statement of public participation is published, setting out the extent of stakeholder participation. The MMO also has local marine planners, geographically dispersed across each marine plan area, who regularly engage with stakeholders. Maintaining positive and productive relationships that promotes dialogue has a key role in supporting the development and delivery of marine plans with stakeholders. |
Sectors included in planning |
England’s strategic marine plans aim to ensure the sustainable development of the English marine areas. To that extent, any sector with an interest in or the potential to affect the English marine area can be included within the marine plans. This includes economic, environmental and social aspects. |
Articulation between MSP and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (IZCM) |
As an issue which may affect the English marine area, the marine plans have policies relating to coastal management. In England, coastal management is also covered by other ‘plans’ such as non-statutory Shoreline Management Plans. |
Articulation between MSP and marine conservation (including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework) |
As an issue within the English marine area, the marine plans have specific policies relating to marine protected areas. The broader management of marine conservation zones (MCZs) fall within the MMO’s remit, and other protected areas (SPA, SAC, SSSI, RAMSAR, pSPA,cSAC, SCI) fall within the remit of Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Decisions made within and regarding marine protected area management would need to be in accordance with or have regard to the marine plans, in line with section 58 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. |
Articulation between MSP and sustainable blue economy |
N/A |
Articulation between MSP and climate change (including the Paris Agreement) |
N/A |
Plan approval process |
The English marine plans are submitted to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for approval in line with the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. |
Legal status of the plan (guiding or legally binding) |
The English marine plans are enforceable statutory planning documents. The requirements placed on decision-makers in regards to plan use in decisionmaking is outlined in Section 58 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. |
Plan review process |
In line with Section 61 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, the MMO must lay a report before Parliament no more than every three years after the date of adoption of any marine plan regarding the effect of the policies in the marine plan; the effectiveness of those policies insecuring the objectives for the marine plan and the progress being made to securing the objectives. Following the report, a recommendation is made to Parliament to either keep, amend or replace the plan. In the event of the latter two options, the planning process would start again. |
Performance monitoring and evaluation |
As above, as required by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, a report on the effectiveness of the policies in the marine plan, and the progress made towards securing the objectives set out in the marine plan, is prepared and laid before Parliament at a minimum of every three years. The plans, and the policies and objectives within the plans, are monitored using a logic model with indicators for policies at different stages in the logic model. More information can be found here. Indicators to measure the policy effects and effectiveness include stakeholder views gathered through surveys, usage of policies through MMO marine licensing decisions, and the spatial distribution of certain activities. More information can be found here. |
Interactions with neighbouring countries in the context of MSP attending transboundary coherence approaches |
The MMO holds quarterly liaison meetings on marine planning with the devolved administrations and crown dependencies marine planning teams at a technical level to support transboundary coherence. Additionally, Defra leads a monthly cross-UK high-level marine planning meeting. The MMO also participates in the North Sea MSP Collaboration Group to ensure key updates are shared with bordering countries. For marine plan development, the MMO engages directly with all bordering countries at key stages of the marine planning process, including formal consultations and informal engagement, and responds to consultations on bordering countries’ marine plans. Although the UK is no longer in the EU, the Marine Spatial Planning Directive (2014/89/EU) continues to provide a framework for marine spatial plans, encouraging consultation between member states in planning processes. The Marine Policy Statement reaffirms the UK’s commitment to coordinating marine planning systems across boundaries. |
Legal framework
Marine planning is a requirement under Part 3 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. This act details the relevant marine planning authorities for England (the Marine Management Organisation has delegated functions from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), the requirement to prepare a Marine Policy Statement, and the process under which the plans should be approved, implemented, reviewed and amended/replaced.
Marine planning functions for the Scottish and Welsh marine areas have been devolved to the Scottish and Welsh governments, respectively.