What steps are the Welsh Government taking to ensure that the marine environment is not damaged when new marine infrastructure is introduced?
All marine infrastructure projects are subject to robust, well-established, planning and regulatory frameworks that require developers and decision-makers to take account of and ensure the protection of the marine environment.
Before any consent is granted for a marine infrastructure project, regulators must ensure decisions are taken in accordance with legislation aimed at the protection of habitats and species of national and international importance. This includes, the Environment (Wales) Act, the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, and the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations.
Decisions must also be made in accordance with the Welsh National Marine Plan (the Plan). The Plan requires developers to take marine ecosystems into account at the early design and development stages following advice from Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies on how their proposal might impact or contribute to the protection, restoration and enhancement of marine habitats and species.
My officials have recently worked with stakeholders and NRW to develop a Marine Planning Technical Statement on ecosystem protection and enhancement.