Proposals for strategic planning to enhance the economic, leisure and environmental value of the sea have been welcomed by the South East England Regional Assembly's Planning Committee as long as there is consistency with land-based planning.

Responding to consultation on a UK marine planning paper , the Assembly's Planning Committee argued that the Assembly must be a statutory consultee to ensure marine plans co-ordinate with the approach to sustainable development of housing, transport, the economy and the environment as set out in the 20-year South East Plan. The Plan identified the need for infrastructure improvements supporting coastal communities and ports.

The Assembly's Regional Planning Committee vice chair, Ian Hepburn, said:

"Our coast and seas are under increasing pressure for development; substantial areas are already used intensively for leisure and exploited for natural resources. Much of the South East coastline is internationally recognised as valuable wildlife habitat; but is most vulnerable to impacts of a changing climate. The region also has a vital role as the gateway to continental Europe. For these reasons, we need a proper planning regime for our seas, but it must go hand in hand with planning for land. This presents a great opportunity to integrate plans that will maximise quality of life and deliver sustainable development."

The Assembly is also keen to be involved in marine planning to share expertise gained in developing the South East Plan. This is the region's first strategic planning vision and based on robust evidence, which could provide support for the development of local marine plans.

Proposals for a UK Marine Bill set out in the marine paper include:

• Development of a marine planning system that will steer activities such as minerals dredging, port development and offshore renewable energy production
  
  
• Conservation of marine ecosystems and wildlife habitats
  
  
• Modernisation of fisheries management for example for sea angling
  
  
• Establishment of a marine management organisation to help deliver marine planning, licensing and enforcement.
  

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. Planning Committee Paper - 76 KB
   
   
2. The Assembly is a partnership of councils and communities in the South East region. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey.
   
   
3. The Assembly is made up of 112 members including elected councillors nominated by the region's local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations) as well as the New Forest National Park Authority.
   
   
4. The Assembly has six roles:
1. Regional Planning
   preparing and delivering the South East Plan
2. Regional Housing
   the Regional Housing Board decides housing investment priorities
3. Regional Transport
   the Regional Transport Board decides transport investment priorities
4. Advocacy
   pressing the South East's interests in London and Brussels
5. Accountability
   scrutinising SEEDA's plans and impact
6. Alignment
   co-ordinating regional policies and decisions.

Our vision is for a distinctive, outward-looking, accessible region of prosperous, sustainable communities, with a high quality of life and environment.

Last updated: 21 August 2007

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