Coastal Protection (Hansard, 11 May 1993)

§ Mr. Barry Field
To ask the Secretary of State For the Environment what plans he has to create a coastal protection and planning unit as recommended by the Environment Select Committee in its second report of 1991–92, (HC 17).

§ Mr. Maclean
The Government in their response of July 1992 to the report of the Environment Select Committee on coastal zone protection and planning explained that coastal policy in the United Kingdom has, since 1991, been co-ordinated at official level through an interdepartmental group. The secretariat for this group is within the Department of the Environment. It would not be appropriate for the group to take on major executive functions.

§ Mr. Barry Field
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to review current legislation for coastal zone activities.

§ Mr. Maclean
The Government in their response of July 1992 to the report of the Environment Select Committee on coastal zone protection and planning undertook to review legislation controlling development below the low water mark; management of activities such as recreation in coastal waters; and the regulation of marine aggregates dredging. The results of these reviews will be available later this year.
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§ Mr. Barry Field
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for a national coastal strategy and for consolidating legislation and regulations to give effect to coastal zone management.

§ Mr. Maclean
The Government in their response of July 1992 to the report of the Environment Select Committee on coastal zone protection and planning stated its commitment to further the management of the coastal zone within a clear framework of national policy. Recent initiatives include planning guidance for the coast, support for heritage coasts, and a substantial programme of investment to improve the quality of coastal waters. Further work is under way on a national strategy for flood and coastal defence, reviews of the control of development below the low water mark and of marine aggregates extraction, and implementation of the EC habitats directive.

§ Mr. Barry Field
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the Environmental Protection Agency to be given responsibility and powers to integrate and monitor coastal activities to ensure prudent coastal management.

§ Mr. Maclean
The Government have no such plans.

§ Mr. Barry Field
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those powers and functions which are under consideration for local authorities' jurisdiction to extend below the low water mark.

§ Mr. Maclean
The Government stated in their response of July 1992 to the report of the Environment Select Committee on coastal zone protection and planning that they are not persuaded that extension of local authority planning powers is necessarily the most effective approach to the control of development below the low water mark. The Government are currently reviewing controls over development in this area, including construction projects, oil and gas exploitation, marine aggregates extraction and disposal at sea.