The British Ports Association (BPA) has expressed its concern over the restrictions that designated Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and stricter regulations may place on the growth and business of ports.
The association warned that MPAs could be detrimental to the planning and development of ports and expressed its disappointment that the House of Commons Select Environmental Audit Committee are in favour of “lighter evidence requirements for designations”.
Responding to the Committee's report ‘Marine Protected Areas Revisited', the BPA’s policy manager, Mark Simmonds, said: “Ports have a good record on the environment and take their responsibilities seriously but some ports are finding that certain aspects of marine designations are becoming increasingly difficult to work with from a planning and development point of view.
“We are both surprised and disappointed that the Committee is pushing for lighter evidence requirements for designations given the impact they can have on economic development. Designations made on limited evidence can undermine confidence in the whole system.”
He added: “We have called for no further designations within port and harbour areas and safeguards against the conditions and restrictions such policies can have on ports. Ports are important national and regional gateways for trade and activities. They support jobs and economic development in all corners of the UK.”
On Parliament’s website, the Committee said it is “disappointed” with the government's “lack of ambition” on designated MPAs.
The Committee stated its report had found that: “MPAs are not being effectively managed, and the Government needs to do more to protect vulnerable marine habitats, features and species once a site is designated as an MPA.”
In December, the BPA called on Ministers to introduce ‘port zoning’ in and around UK harbour areas, which would safeguard them against the impact of marine designations and planning system challenges and allow them to fast-track developments.
