Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Accepted in Part
Ask DEFRA to clarify Marine Spatial Prioritisation Programme objectives and timeline for outputs
Recommendation
We ask the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to clarify the objectives and planned timeline for outputs from the Marine Spatial Prioritisation Programme and explain how it contributes to the Department’s aims for “clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas”. We recommend that the programme sets out a framework for marine spatial planning that is adaptable to future pressures and follows the guidance set out in an updated Marine Policy Statement, which we have also recommended. This framework should direct activity toward areas of least environmental sensitivity, fully integrate the fisheries sector to avoid conflict and support co-location, and explicitly address the cumulative impacts of multiple marine uses. This will support the sustainable management of marine resources and reduce pressure on ecologically valuable areas. (Recommendation, Paragraph 38)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government partially accepted the recommendation, clarifying MSPri's objectives and current focus on guiding offshore wind development and outlining the next phase to improve colocation. However, it explicitly stated that updating the UK Marine Policy Statement, as recommended for the planning framework, is not considered a priority.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted in Part
The MSPri programme supports the goal of achieving “clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas” and does so through developing a more strategic approach to the use of sea space. Key consideration is given to the needs of different marine sectors and nature recovery. Defra communicated what the 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 after they have conducted their stakeholder engagement over the summer of 2025. Marine plans of course play a key role in delivering the Government’s long-term vision for the marine environment. They support the sustainable management of marine resources as suggested in recommendation in paragraph 38. They also provide greater certainty for developers and support more informed and efficient decision-making, while ensuring environmental safeguards are in place. Marine plans are regularly reviewed, with updates published every three years following adoption, to ensure they remain relevant and adapt to emerging pressures. The NSIP process, which governs the consenting of offshore wind farms, considers the impact of the environment through various stages and requirements. This includes Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs), consultation with Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs) and strategic compensation. The work underway to reduce pressures on the marine environment, including environmentally sensitive areas, is set out in the UK Marine Strategy programme of measures, published in January 2025. The Government therefore partially agrees with this recommendation, because as explained previously it does not agree that updating the UK MPS is a priority.
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