The Committee welcomes the production of the Marine Policy Statement as the first step in the implementation of marine planning in the UK. It is important that the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) must be properly funded to carry out its work in implementing the MPS and developing marine plans for English waters, and the Committee notes the announced cuts to the MMO's budget with concern. It is important that the MPS remains relevant and up-to-date if it is effectively to guide decision makers in the future, and significant changes to the evidence on which it is based must be reflected in the contents of the MPS, but reviews should not be unnecessary or costly. The report notes the concerns raised by consultees regarding the level of detailed guidance on the interaction between terrestrial and marine planning. The Committee comments on the absence of detailed guidance about policy priorities in the draft MPS, and feels it is essential that sufficient clarity is provided in individual marine plans. Finally, the Committee welcomes assurances that the fishing industry will not be adversely affected by implementation of the MPS, and will look to see that this is borne out in the development of marine plans.

The UK Government, the Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland Executive are taking action to achieve clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. A new system of marine planning has been introduced through the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (ISBN 9780105423096), the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (ISBN 9780105901518) and proposed legislation in Northern Ireland. This marine policy statement (MPS) is the framework for preparing marine plans and taking decisions that affect the marine environment. This consultation document contains the draft MPS, a non-technical summary of the appraisal of sustainability and an impact assessment. These and other documents are available at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-policy/index.htm. The introduction sets out the purpose, scope and structure of the MPS. Chapter 1 describes the role of the MPS within the wider marine planning system and its interaction with existing planning regimes. Chapter 2 outlines the vision for the UK marine area and the strategic environmental, social and economic considerations that need to be taken into account. Chapter 3 details the policy objectives for the key activities that take place in the marine environment.

National Policy Statements (NPS) are a key component of the new planning system for nationally significant infrastructure projects, introduced by the Planning Act 2008. The Act stipulates that a proposal for a National Policy Statement will be subject to public consultation and allows for parliamentary scrutiny before designation as national policy by the Secretary of State. The draft Ports National Policy Statement (Department for Transport, 2009) has been welcomed by many organisations as a good start which can be built upon. The Committee has recommended a number of modifications and expects the Department will improve the draft as a result of the consultation and scrutiny processes. The Committee has reservations regarding the Government's 2007 policy for ports and the lack of guidance on location for port development in the NPS but this, of itself, does not make the NPS unfit for purpose. But the Committee cannot recommend designation at this stage on two counts. Firstly, a key, related policy statement - the National Networks NPS - has yet to be published. Secondly, the organisation likely to be one of the principal decision-makers for port development - the Marine Management Organisation - has yet to be established and so has been unable to comment on guidance that will be of great importance to its role. These are fundamental flaws in the consultation process and the Ports NPS should not be designated until they are rectified.

proposals for national policy statements on Energy : Third report of session 2009-10, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

The Marine Bill was designed to establish a new UK-wide strategic system of marine planning to balance conservation, energy and resource needs, based on the principle of sustainable development and working with the devolved administrations. The Committee reports here reservations about the framework nature of the draft Bill. It was felt that too much of its policy is contained in secondary legislation or guidance. That there are significant areas of confusion of responsibility - between UK and international, especially EU, obligations; between devolved adminstrations; the many agencies and other bodies who will be involved in delivering the proposals in the Bill.

This Waste Water National Policy Statement (NPS) will be used by the decision maker (formerly the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC)) as the primary basis for deciding development consent applications for waste water developments that fall within the definition of of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) in the Planning Act 2008. The NPS sets out a justification for new waste water infrastructure and provides information on to two projects - the proposed treatment works at Deephams in North East London, and the Thames Tunnel which will carry waste water from sewage overflows which currently run into the Thames. Under the new guidelines, applicants of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects will need to consider aspects such as the standard of design, whether any alternatives exist to the project, pollution control and wildlife conservation. The Government is taking measures to lessen demands on waste water infrastructure in England through sustainable drainage systems. However, more infrastructure is required to prevent environmental damage and poor water quality.

This national policy statement (NPS) sets out national policy for the energy infrastructure. A further five technology-specific NPSs for the energy sector cover: fossil fuel electricity generation (EN-2) (ISBN 9780108510786); renewable electricity generation (both onshore and offshore) (EN-3) (ISBN 9780108510793); gas supply infrastructure and gas and oil pipelines (EN-4) (ISBN 9780108510809); the electricity transmission and distribution network (EN-5) (ISBN 9780108510816); and nuclear power generation (EN-6) (ISBN 9780108510823). An Impact assessment is also available (ISBN 9780108510830). The NPSs have effect on the decisions by the Infrastructure Planning Commission on application for energy developments. This statement outlines the Government's objectives for the power sector in order to meet its energy and climate change strategy. It sets out the need for new energy infrastructure and the assessment principles and generic impacts.