Photo by Jahanzeb Ahsan
The Marine Management Organisation has published the East Marine Plan development engagement summary report, concluding a period of stakeholder consultation on draft policies for England’s first second-generation marine plan.
The report details stakeholder insights on drafted plan policies and spatial prescription opportunities for the East Marine Plan. “Stakeholders were very knowledgeable and engaged, providing their perspectives on all drafted policies which are detailed within the report,” Marine Planner Rosie Bailey wrote in the announcement.
The MMO conducted seven sessions between 16 September and 8 October, including three in-person events in Norwich, King’s Lynn, and Hull, two online sessions for external stakeholders, and two online sessions for MMO colleagues.
The East Marine Plan will replace the East Inshore and East Offshore Marine Plans, originally adopted in 2014. In 2023, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs agreed with the MMO’s recommendation to replace the existing plans after the second three-year report in 2020 determined that policies were no longer fit for purpose due to wider legislative and policy changes.
The east marine plan area encompasses two zones: the east inshore area stretches from mean high water springs to 12 nautical miles offshore along the coastline between Flamborough Head and Felixstowe, whilst the east offshore area extends from the outer boundary of the east inshore area to England’s maritime borders with the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
The engagement period focused on the Plan Drafting and Policies stage of development, inviting input from industry representatives, local planning authorities, non-governmental organisations, other MMO teams, and interested organisations. Stakeholder input is considered vital through all stages of developing the plan, as the new policies will affect all stakeholders operating in the east marine plan areas.
The first stage of plan development was the East Marine Plan Statement of Public Participation, published in April 2024 and updated in April 2025 due to timeline changes. The refreshed timeline estimates plan adoption for summer 2027.
The East Marine Plan represents the first of England’s second-generation marine plans, marking a significant milestone for the Marine Planning team. The MMO is working to ensure the plan is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable through a Sustainability Appraisal process conducted alongside SLR Consulting.
Marine industries are estimated to contribute around £49.4 billion annually to the UK economy. Statutory consultation on the draft East Marine Plan is scheduled for 2026, providing stakeholders with further opportunities to shape the final plan before it is submitted to the Secretary of State for adoption.