The plan, developed by the UK Major Ports Group (UKMPG) in combination with the British Ports Association (BPA), includes proposals to increase the scope of Permitted Development Rights within ports to make investment faster and easier and cover more value adding & job creating activities; develop pro-trade, pro investment \u2018port zones\u2019 around specific ports and their hinterland areas; give Masterplans for ports the same weighting as other local masterplans; and include the needs and opportunities for ports in local strategic spatial plans.<\/p>\n
Tim Morris, CEO of the UKMPG, said: \u201cOur plan focusses on ten common-sense, pragmatic and practical ways the Government could create a better environment for ports, for trade and for investment, helping not just the ports themselves but coastal communities all over Britain.\u201d<\/p>\n
More recognition needed<\/strong><\/p>\n The plan also includes a proposal for a revised definition of \u2018operational land\u2019 so it better reflects the modern major ports business, and covers the full area used by multimodal ports \u2013 so that regulation recognises that the activities of modern ports are important centres for distribution chains, manufacturing activities and provide a wide array of services.<\/p>\n Emphasising that coastal communities are unique in what they can deliver for the economy, the plan stresses that it is important that the UK encourages investment, jobs and trade in these areas as much as possible to harness this. Special consideration should be applied to coastal communities in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), as is already the case for rural communities.<\/p>\n