MMO grants coastal protection marine licences

Storm water headwall in Blyth

The marine licensing team granted a marine licence for the installation of a new storm water headwall at the Energy Central Learning Hub in Blyth, Northumberland.

The headwall is required to ensure that water flow does not erode the pipe or the surrounding area of the learning campus structure.

The marine licensing team initially requested several application updates from the applicant and, as a result of these, the mapping was updated to reflect the position of the headwall in the marine area. This enabled the applicant to assess the marine plan policies in that area. A water framework directive assessment was also requested and provided.

The applicant’s responses meant that the team was able to adequately assess risks to ensure they were in acceptable limits. This ensured that the wider project could be completed with consideration for the marine environment by the applicant.

Additionally, a draft decision was prepared and shared with the applicant, this gave the applicant an opportunity to clarify any issues.

Flood and coastal erosion protection on the South Coast

The North Portsea Island Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Scheme applied for a marine licence to complete works in the marine area below Mean High Water Springs (MHWS).

The project is split into six construction phases and a marine licence is required for phase five at Ports Creek. The phase five works comprise of a combination of raised earth embankments with rock revetments, retaining walls, encasement of bridge abutments and upgrading the existing slipway. It also includes landscaping and updating public realm features.

The scheme will provide a long-term standard of protection from flooding to businesses and communities.

Flood defence for new housing development

The marine licensing team worked with Dorset Council to produce a joint Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Opinion for flood defence works to support a new housing development in Weymouth.

EIA scoping will inform a future marine licence application for construction of flood defences associated with a new housing development in Weymouth. This provides key information to the applicant on what to include in their application for the flood defence development.

The marine licensing team and Dorset Council agreed the council would act as lead authority under the Coastal Concordat, with MMO supporting the process. The team exchanged information to ensure both authority’s legislation was followed, as well as reviewing/adding information to the final product. Working together as authorities prevented duplication of effort. This saved the applicant time and money and allowed regulators to align scoping opinions and decision making for the project.