DEFRA Consultation on Marine Licensing
Amanda Furlonger of Marine Environment Strategy and Evidence, email hidden; JavaScript is required, advises us that DEFRA has just published a consultation on proposals to change how some complex marine licence cases are decided, these applying to English waters and the offshore areas of Wales and Northern Ireland, where the Secretary of State, Liz Truss, MP for South-west Norfolk is the licensing authority.
DEFRA is proposing to introduce a way for local planning authorities and Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities to seek an independent inquiry into these marine licensing cases, with the final decision taken by Ministers directly accountable to Parliament.
MARINET members concerned with fishing licences, damage to the seabed and the continuing issue of dredging licences allowing such devastation to the shoreline, beach, dune system, housing, seaside businesses and tourism, to the seabed and fisheries, as second opinions are not currently permitted, may well feel they wish respond to this invitation.
You can find and respond to the consultation, which closes on 25th February 2015, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/marine-licensing-changing-how-some-cases-are-decided
