Orkney Islands Regional Marine Plan: Consultation and Modifications Report

Appendix 2: Orkney regional approach to Priority Marine Feature policy

Introduction

A2.1 A specific question (Q13a) in the Orkney Islands Regional Marine Plan consultation was include on the potential to take forward a regional approach to Priority Marine Feature (PMF) policy in Orkney.

A2.2 Question 13a:

Do you think General Policy 9d should include specific policy provisions on how lower magnitude impacts on Priority Marine Features (i.e. those impacts that do not constitute an impact on the national status) should be considered in decision making?

A2.3 A total of 24 consultees responded to Question 13a. The responses to are provided in Figure 3.

Overview and analysis of stakeholder views captured in response to Q13a

A2.4 Summary of views captured:

Significant support was expressed for taking forward a policy to address lower magnitude impacts on PMFs i.e. impacts that are significant at a regional scale.

Whilst there were a significant number of stakeholders that supported a policy on lower magnitude impacts on PMFs, there were also significant concerns that such a policy could slow decision making and significantly increase costs for developers in Orkney.

Concerns were raised that additional assessment effort would be required in Orkney when compared to other regions, and that this could become a deterrent to development and investment.

Views were expressed that it would not be appropriate to include a specific policy on lower magnitude impacts on PMFs in a regional marine plan, prior to the current national policy framework for PMFs being reviewed and consulted on as part of National Marine Plan 2.

Many stakeholders expressed views that if this policy went ahead, it would need to be supported by guidance and tools to enable effective decision making.

Views were expressed that any new policy on PMFs would need to be supported by an extensive and robust evidence base on habitat/species-specific sensitivity and potential effects from development and activities.

Orkney regional approach to Priority Marine Feature policy

A2.5 Significant consideration has been given to the broad spectrum of views capture in response to Question 13a and the wider policy context. In light of this, it is considered appropriate that General Policy 9d within the consultation draft plan is retained, with a minor modification (see Table 2), and that a policy on lower magnitude/regionally significant impacts on PMFs should not be taken forward at this stage due to the following considerations:

There is a need for clarity on PMF protections in NMP2 and the potential role of regional marine plans for establishing policy on these matters;

An Orkney regional PMF policy could create regional disparities in environmental protection which could become a deterrent for investment and development in Orkney and incur significant associated costs for innovation projects and wider development.

A2.6 It is recognised that the consultation demonstrated significant support from stakeholders to take forward a policy to address lower magnitude impacts on PMFs. However, as significant adverse economic and development related impacts have been identified through the consultation, it is not considered appropriate to take forward a regional PMF policy in Orkney at this stage.

A2.7 OIC Marine Planning will continue to engage with the preparation of NMP2 and will consider the implications for PMF policy in Orkney following the adoption of NMP2.