Marine

The Pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan needs your vote!

July 20, 2016 by Marine Scotland Communications No Comments | Category Marine Directorate general, Marine Planning

The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Plan area supports a diverse marine economy and a vast majority of the area is used for multiple activities, meaning there is a potential for competition and conflict. To try and address this, this area was chosen to pilot the development of a marine spatial plan, aimed at supporting sustainable management of the area’s seas, while balancing the needs of local communities and marine economic activities and protecting the environment on which they depend.

The pilot plan was a collaborative project, developed by working group that included Marine Scotland, Orkney Islands Council and Highland Council. It was given Ministerial approval in March 2016 and we’re delighted to say that it has been shortlisted for a Scottish Award for Quality in Planning. You can read more about it on the Marine Scotland website and vote for it to win the People’s Choice category. Voting closes on the 1 November 2016.

There have been many lessons learned in going through the planning process which will inform the preparation of other regional marine plans and the governance arrangements that could underpin Marine Planning Partnerships. It is also anticipated that the pilot Plan will establish a useful basis for the preparation of the two future regional marine plans for Orkney and the North Coast Scottish Marine Regions.

Further Information

• The Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters webpages
• Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning
• Vote for the plan
• Marine Planning

Comments