Recommendation 32

HM Government Accepted

This recommendation is beyond the remit of DESNZ. The following response has been provided by Defra. As mentioned in the government’s response to the Environment Audit Committee, Defra communicated what the Marine Spatial Prioritisation (MSPri) objectives are at the start of the programme. They were to optimise the use of the sea, maximise colocation and where necessary to prioritise the use of the sea. The programme has evolved since then, including starting to identify ways to improve colocation helping to make a more sustainable use of marine space. The MSPri process has more recently focused on providing a strategic steer to TCE on key marine interests related to potential future offshore wind development in the English sea. As suggested in the recommendation at paragraph 38, the guidance will help TCE in identifying suitable areas for future offshore wind lease areas which avoid the most environmentally sensitive areas (including birds) or areas which are important for other marine sectors and government priorities. It will also help to reduce clashes between future offshore wind projects and other users of the sea, including fisheries. This work has taken place prior to any formal leasing or planning process. It is designed to complement existing processes such as the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and marine planning. The next phase of MSPri will be to take forward the colocation workstream and continue to build on the steer given by government to TCE. This will include working with TCE following their stakeholder engagement over the summer of 2025.