§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultation procedure is carried out for the licensing of dredgings dump sites in intertidal areas; which statutory and non-statutory authorities are consulted; whether licences are registered with the relevant local authorities; and at which stage landowners are likely to be affected by spoil disposal and are consulted.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonI have been asked to reply.
The disposal of dredgings at sea, including sites in intertidal areas, is regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under part II of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.
In considering whether to establish a new marine disposal site the Ministry consults bodies understood to have an interest. These would include landowners, local authorities, the Crown Estates Commission, conservation bodies, including where relevant the Nature Conservancy Council, fisheries organisations, the Department of Transport, recreational and other local interests.
Where an application is made to use an existing disposal site in an area designated as a site of special scientific Interest, the Ministry also consults the Nature Conservancy Council.
Licences under part II of the Act are not registered with local authorities, but are available for inspection on a public register kept by the Ministry.