National Marine Plan 2 - planning position statement: consultation analysis

Impacts of proposed policies

Question 13 examined the perceived impact of the proposals put forward:

Question 13: Do you think the policy ideas in the National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2) will impact, either positively or negatively on any of the following: Marine sectors/businesses, consenting authorities, local authorities or any other planning decision makers?

Thie question had a response rate of 75%.

Overview

There was a range of views expressed in response to this, with respondents believing that the policy ideas proposed for NMP2 have the potential to impact stakeholders both positively and negatively depending upon implementation.

However, many respondents noted that, if implemented effectively, sectors and businesses that were “actively addressing the climate and biodiversity crises” would be overall be positively impacted.

Sector themes

Themes and general consensus from across the identified stakeholder groupings have been collated within this analysis, and suggest the following general sentiments:

Aquaculture sector

Aquaculture respondents believed the general policy direction was positive and may lead to better outcomes for climate and nature, but urged for protection and enhancement to align with the expansion and growth of important marine sectors, highlighting that “not placing enough value on food production” could disproportionately affect those sectors.

Fishing sector

Fisheries respondents generally relayed concerns that if NMP2 policies favour offshore wind, conservation, and aquaculture at the expense of traditional fisheries that Scotland could face “economic disadvantages” in the global seafood market, loss of investment in fisheries-related infrastructure, and a “weakening of coastal community economies”.

Renewables sector

The responses from this sector generally welcomed the policy ideas put forward, believing that alignment with NPF4 and other established policies/guidance would positively impact not just developers, but local authorities and decision makers at every level of consenting, making the consenting process “smooth, predictable, and proportionate”.

Environmental groups

Respondents for ENGOs generally believed NMP2 would have a positive impact overall on the environment, marine sectors and coastal communities if developed in accordance with the principles of sustainable development

Public Sector (including Marine Planning Partnerships)

Local authorities mostly agreed that the proposed policy ideas would have a positive impact on sectors/businesses, consenting authorities, and local planning authorities and would “support delivery of the outcomes for a more sustainable marine and coastal economy”.

Notable additions

Implementation

While many of the responses indicated the intention and idea behind many of the policy proposals were positive in nature, there was consensus that this would be reliant on the correct implementation and interpretation of those policies.

Consensus

While, broadly speaking, the intention of the proposals was welcomes across the sectors represented, it is clear that there is an expectation for clear guidance and implementation assistance for the proposals to have the intended effect.

There were also specific sectors, namely fisheries and aquaculture, that remain concerned that they are not being adequately provisioned for in the proposals, or that other sectors are being given preferential treatment.