The MMO has recently updated the information on impact assessment requirements for marine licence applications.

Marine Plan Policy Assessment section updated to show changes coming to the system from April 2022.

From April 2022 the marine plan policy section will be replaced with smart functionality that identifies all marine plan policies relevant to your proposal. The functionality uses the same datasets as Explore Marine Plans, ensuring consistency for those that have used the tool to consider proposals in advance.

The relevant policy text will be clearly set out in the application form and a text box provided so that you can provide details of how the policy has been considered, including your views about whether your proposal is in accordance with the policy in advance. If your proposal does not appear to be in accordance with the policy you may include any considerations you would like the MMO to take into account when assessing your application.

How will the new process work?

• Policies identified and any additional information provided will be automatically transferred into an enhanced marine plan policy assessment tool used by the case team. The use of smart functionality will remove the current first step in the process (identifying policies in EMP and populating the marine plan assessment spreadsheet) providing immediate efficiencies.
• The team will then review the information provided and may, where sufficient information is provided and conclusion accepted, simply mark the policy as accepted/compliant. Providing detailed information and advanced assessment in respect of each policy relevant to your application therefore has the potential expedite the assessment process and may result in reduced fees.
• Where insufficient information is provided or additional relevant policies identified enhanced functionality will allow the case team to request additional information in respect of those policies. This process may also provide an opportunity for early intervention through the highlight of potential policy conflicts before further assessment costs are incurred.

More information can be found here.