As part of the development of the Isle of Man Marine Plan, the Department of Infrastructure is launching a public consultation on the proposed consenting process for marine developments.
The Isle of Man Marine Plan is being formulated to provide an integrated and strategic approach to the use of the marine environment, taking into account economic, environmental and social issues. A major phase in the development of the plan is to develop a stringent, uncomplicated consenting regime that will apply to applications for marine developments in Manx territorial waters.
The Isle of Man Government realises that one of the potential avenues for future growth of the Manx economy is the development of offshore energy production. The proposed consenting process will ensure that the Isle of Man can take advantage of any potential opportunities whilst protecting the fragile and diverse environments in our marine territory.
There are a number of key areas of the process which the public are being invited to comment on, including:
- Definitions and exemptions of ‘marine development’
- The consenting process
- Consultation
- Permitted Development
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Proposed Fees
Minister for Infrastructure, David Cretney MHK said: ‘Manx territorial waters account for 87% of our total territory and possess wind, wave and tidal energies in abundance. As a result, they provide the potential to offer new and valuable revenue streams to the Isle of Man Government. However, these resources cannot be exploited in a sustainable way without due regard to the environment in which they exist and so consequently a robust consenting process is required.
‘I would encourage everyone who has an opinion on the management of our territorial waters to visit the website to consider and respond to the consultation paper.’
Interested parties can view the consultation document by visiting
http://www.gov.im/ConsultationDetail.gov?id=342
or
http://www.gov.im/transport/planning/msp/consenting.xml or by email request at msp@gov.im
Printed copies of the consultation document are also available on request. Please Tel 686301.
The consultation will be open for responses until 5pm on Friday 26th of October.
