Port development companies, marina builders, and smaller companies will benefit from less burdensome enforcement of regulation following a government review of red tape.
Responding to industry concerns that lack of co-ordination between regulators imposes unnecessary costs and uncertainty on firms, Business Minister Michael Fallon today announced the development of a Marine Coastal Concordat to ensure a single agreed regulator is identified to oversee the co-ordination of licensing and permitting for new coastal projects.
Led by Defra and the Department for Transport, the Concordat will establish a formal operating agreement between regulators the Marine Management Organisation, Natural England, the Environment Agency, and will involve, where appropriate, the Local Government Association.
It will make life easier for businesses by creating an easily identifiable, single point of entry to the regulatory system and improving and streamlining existing processes. Currently confusion can arise where land-based and marine planning regimes overlap, and this can lead to cost and delay for business. The government will seek to reach rapid agreement with the Local Government Association on the development of the Concordat.
Business Minister Michael Fallon said: ‘Business told us about the frustrations – and costs – caused by the failure of regulators to agree who leads coastal projects. We can’t afford this vital component of our economy, with its great potential to create jobs and growth in communities that are hungry for opportunity, to be held back by red tape. A single point of contact, alongside the reforms driven through by the regulators themselves, will clarify the system, freeing up enterprise.’
Responding to other issues raised by businesses, further reforms will improve the way the regulatory system is enforced by reducing burdens in low-risk areas. This will particularly benefit smaller companies that feel a disproportionate burden of regulation.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) will:
· Reduce marine licensing administration costs by fast tracking licensing processes, reducing the time taken to determine a licence, and introducing longer lasting licences for key activities such as maintenance dredging.
· Produce new guidance to clarify whether certain activities actually require a licence under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
· Carry out more training to help staff better balance business needs and environmental concerns, helping promote sustainable development.
The full review findings are at: LINK
UK Government News: LINK
