Schedules

Schedule 6Marine plans: preparation and adoption

Adoption and publication of a marine plan

15

1

A marine plan is “adopted” by a marine plan authority when the authority has decided to publish the plan (and “adopt” and related expressions are to be read accordingly).

2

A marine plan may be so adopted only by, or with the agreement of, the Secretary of State.

3

Sub-paragraph (2) does not apply in the case of a marine plan for the Welsh inshore region if the plan does not include provision relating to retained functions.

4

The conferral on a devolved authority by this Part of functions whose exercise is subject to the agreement of the Secretary of State under sub-paragraph (2) does not affect any functions, or the exercise of any functions, of the devolved authority apart from this Part (whenever conferred or imposed).

5

In sub-paragraph (4) “devolved authority” means—

a

the Scottish Ministers;

b

the Welsh Ministers;

c

the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland.

6

The marine plan which a marine plan authority decides to publish may be—

a

the same as the proposals published in the consultation draft, or

b

those proposals with such modifications as the marine plan authority thinks fit.

7

A marine plan authority which adopts a marine plan must publish the plan as soon as reasonably practicable after its adoption, together with statements of each of the following—

a

any modifications that have been made to the proposals published in the consultation draft,

b

the reasons for those modifications,

c

if any recommendations made by any independent person appointed under paragraph 13 have not been implemented in the marine plan, the reasons why those recommendations have not been implemented.