What Marine Spatial Planning means to Natural England

Tammy Smalley

Team Leader for National Marine & Coast Evidence Team

Introduction

Who am I• Worked for NE for the last year, previous to which I worked as a

coastal partnership manager on The Wash for eight years

Who are Natural England• Non-departmental public body• Statutory adviser on the natural environment to…

‘Ensure the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.’

Our marine remit

Geographical coverage• From the coast out to 12 nautical miles in England’s territorial waters• We work closely with Joint Nature Conservation Committee to

achieve consistency from 0nm out to 200nm extent

Responsibilities in marine environment• Advising Government, industry and local communities on marine

conservation, access, recreation & seascape issues• To help meet international commitments, such as advising

Government on indentified sites that meet the Habitats Directive• To help implement the Marine & Coastal Access Act, including

providing evidence based guidance on how to identify Marine Conservation Zones for the four regional projects

What we would like to see from MSP

• That nature conservation is a key consideration in marine planning decision making for wildlife, seascapes, geology and geomorphology

• That it supports and complements the commitment to deliver a coherent network of Marine Protected Areas by 2012

• That it promotes the ethos of naturally functioning marine waters and coastlines with sustainably managed industries and coasts

• That there is clear integration with the terrestrial planning system, as many designated sites are intertidal

• That it ensures integrated delivery of Government’s marine objectives

How integration can work for us

• Any monitoring/reporting on the success of marine spatial plans is tied into other reporting rounds and reflects the need to meet commitments such as Habitats and Marine Strategy Framework Directives

• Open communications with the regulators, partners and stakeholders so clear, consistent information is shared – this may require joint training with regulators and partners which is rolled out where necessary to stakeholders

• Ensure that the public are understanding and supporting the principles of sustainable planning and management for our seas – Government bodies need local representativity – directly or indirectly

Thank you for listening and you can contact me by:

• Email: Tammy.Smalley@naturalengland.org.uk

• Tel: 0300 060 2893• Based at Tout Hill, Peterborough