Marine Planning Zones extension proposals: consultation analysis

Executive Summary

The Scottish Government published the consultation on extending marine planning zones on the Scottish Government website on 18 September 2024 and the consultation closed on 11 December 2024.

There were four questions and 52 responses were received by the deadline. A further response was received following the deadline and was included in the analysis, bringing the total number of responses to 53. Not all respondents answered all the questions. The 53 responses came from 24 individuals and 29 organisations.

Of the 53 respondents:

• 40 indicated their agreement with the proposals to extend marine planning zones out to 12 nautical miles, 11 indicated that they were not in agreement and 2 respondents neither agreed or disagreed with the proposals. Additional comments on the proposal were provided by 39 respondents.
• 40 indicated their agreement with the proposed marine planning zones presented in the illustrative and interactive maps, 11 indicated that they were not in agreement and 2 respondents did not answer the question. Additional comments on the maps were provided by 28 respondents.
• 33 provided further comments on the proposals as a whole.
• 38 indicated their agreement with the approach taken for the impact assessments which accompanied the consultation, 11 indicated that they were not in agreement and 4 respondents did not answer the question. Additional comments on the impact assessments were provided by 25 respondents.

Following analysis of all the responses received, Scottish Ministers have decided to bring forward a Scottish Statutory Instrument early this year to extend marine planning zones out to 12 nautical miles.

Based on the responses received there have been no updates made to the proposed boundaries for the extended marine planning zones.

The partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment and Island Communities Impact Assessment have been updated and finalised based on responses received. The finalised impact assessments will be published on the Scottish Government website.