Draft Sectoral Marine Plans for Offshore Renewable Energy in Scottish Waters: Consultation Paper

E. NEXT STEPS

This section contains:

• Framework for developing the Plans

E.1 Framework for Plan Development and Timeline

E.1.1 The Draft Sectoral Marine Plans for Offshore Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy have developed through the following steps and key milestones:

1. Development of Scoping Reports to identify further Areas of Search

• Marine Scotland Science undertake a review of the 25 medium-term options contained within Blue Seas Green Energy using The Crown Estate Marine Resource System (MaRS): Summer 2011
• Marine Scotland Science publish A Scoping Report for Offshore Wind Farm Development in Scottish Waters: November 2011
• Marine Scotland Science undertake scoping exercises for wave and tidal energy using The Crown Estate Marine Resource System (MaRS) - Spring 2012
• Marine Scotland Science publish A Scoping Report for Wave Farm Development in Scottish Waters & A Scoping Report for Tidal Farm Development in Scottish Waters - July 2012

2. Regional Locational Guidance

• Marine Scotland write to stakeholders asking for the provision of relevant information to inform the development of the RLG: January 2012
• AECOM appointed to undertake an information collation exercise with key stakeholders and produce a database of responses: April 2012
• Draft RLG is jointly prepared by Marine Scotland, Marine Scotland Science, Scottish Government Energy Directorate and Scottish Government Environmental Assessment Team: July 2012
• Draft RLG made available for comment subject: August-September 2012
• Final RLG prepared and made available for comment: Summer 2013

3. Strategic Environmental Assessment ( SEA)

• Scottish Government Environmental Assessment Team appointed to undertake SEA of Review for Blue Seas Green Energy and Sectoral Plans for Wave and Tidal Energy Autumn 2011
• SEA Screening and Scoping stages completed by the Scottish Government: July 2012
• SEA Screening and Scoping documents consulted upon and finalised: August 2012
• Steering Group formed with the Scottish Government Energy and Environment Directorates General and Members of the Marine Strategy Forum: August 2012

4. Habitats Regulations Appraisal ( HRA)

• HRA of Blues Seas Green Energy: March 2011
• Preparatory HRA work for Wave and Tidal Energy: on-going
• ABPmer commissioned to undertake HRA of Sectoral Plans for Offshore Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy: February 2013
• Draft HRA Report: Summer 2013
• Appropriate Assessment: Autumn 2013

5. Socio-economic Assessment

• ABPmer commissioned to undertake Socio-economic Assessment Baseline Review and Data Gap Analysis: September 2011
• Socio-economic Assessment Baseline Review and Data Gap Analysis informed by advisory group including fishing, shipping, Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation ( SSPO), Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Crown Estate Commissioners, SNH and the Scottish Government
• Socio-Economic Baseline Review and Data Gap Analysis published: August 2012
• ABPmer commissioned to undertake Socio-economic Assessment Impact Assessment for Draft Sectoral Marine Plans: November 2012
• Socio-economic Assessment informed by advisory group: November 2012
• Socio-economic Assessment published: Summer 2013.

6. Sustainability Appraisal

• Scottish Government Environmental Assessment Team commissioned to undertake Sustainability Appraisal in conjunction with Marine Scotland Economists: Autumn 2011
• Sustainability Appraisal process outlined and published in the SEA Screening and Scoping Report: August 2012
• Sustainability Appraisal undertaken following the completion of SEA, HRA and Socio-economic Assessments: Summer 2013
• Sustainability Appraisal Report produced: Summer 2013
• Consultation on Draft Plans and Sustainability Appraisal Report: July - October 2013

7. Sectoral Marine Plans for Offshore Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy in Scottish Waters

• Draft Initial Plan Frameworks ( IPF) developed using outputs from Scoping Report and Regional Locational Guidance: August 2012
• Draft IPFs and Draft RLGs made available for comment: August-September 2012
• Draft Plan Options determined which will be subject to SEA, HRA and socio-economic assessments: January 2013
• Final IPFs published detailed Draft Plan Options and the process for developing the Draft Sectoral Marine Plan: April - May 2013
• Preparation of Draft Sectoral Marine Plans for Offshore Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy in Scottish Waters: April - June 2013
• Statutory consultation on Draft Plan and Sustainability Appraisal Report: July - October 2013

8. Consultation and production of Consultation Analysis

• Public Participation Statement published: August 2012
• Draft IPFs and Draft RLGs made available for comment: August-September 2012
• Draft Plans and Sustainability Appraisal:

Statutory consultation undertaken over 16 weeks: July - October 2013

• Consultation workshops held with aquaculture, fishing, shipping, aviation, recreation and tourism sectors: July - October 2013
• Regional Workshops held: August - September 2013
• Consultation Analysis Report prepared and published: November 2013

9. Plans and Post-Adoption Statement

• Final Plans submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval: December 2013
• Final Plans and Post Adoption Statement published: December 2013

10. Review - Monitoring and Research

• Monitoring of the Plans and further Research work will be taken forward in an initial 2 year review cycle
• Advisory Groups, with relevant representation, will be formed to contribute to studies
• Consultation and reporting will be undertaken if findings result in proposals to change the Plans