Defra ‘George Eustice, Minister of State for Farming, Food and the Marine Environment, made a written statement in Parliament on the Marine licensing recovery policy. [‘Recovery’ – in his context means that the Minister can recover the decision making process] A copy is attached:
Written Ministerial Statement
The changes to the marine licensing process allow ministers to make licence decisions in certain circumstances. This strengthens the democratic accountability of the marine licensing process for the most complex licensing determinations. The changes apply to applications for marine licences accepted by the Marine Management Organisation after 1 October 2015.
Here is guidance on the changes. If you have any queries, please contact: marinelicensing.consultation@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Fuller information on this decision and the criteria for calling in decisions is available on the MMO website
Marine licensing applications: when decisions can go to government ministers
Overview
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is generally responsible for taking decisions on marine licensing applications. In some circumstances it can refer an application to government ministers for a decision rather than making a licensing decision itself. When certain criteria apply, (see below) the MMO will refer an application to ministers so they can decide whether to recover it. If ministers recover the application, they will set up a public inquiry. Ministers will then make the final decision on the application. These referrals from the MMO go to ministers responsible for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Criteria for recovery
For ministers to recover a marine licensing application, it must meet all 3 of the following criteria:
- it falls in band 3 of MMO’s licence charging scheme, covering the larger and more complex projects
- it is for an activity taking place wholly or partly in English waters up to 6 nautical miles from the coast
- it could have a significant effect and raise issues appropriate for examination in an inquiry
Individuals or organisations can ask a Local Planning Authority (LPA) or Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) to request that the MMO refers an application to ministers if they think it meets the 3 criteria.
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