Planning Scotlands Seas: Consultation Analysis Overview Report.

4 OTHER ISSUES

4.1 Across the consultations, a number of points were raised that fell outwith the scope of the Planning Scotland's Seas consultations. These are summarised below.

Seaweed Policy

4.2 One main point that featured in responses, especially in the NMP and MPA consultations, related to another document that was out for consultation at the same time as the Planning Scotland's Seas consultations; the Scottish Government's draft Seaweed Policy Statement. Respondents wanted to see reference to the findings from the draft Seaweed Policy consultation included in the final NMP. There were also comments that several of the possible MPAs should be considered in the consultation on the draft Seaweed Policy Statement.

The consultation process

4.3 There was broad welcome, in particular from MPA and ORE respondents, for the opportunity to participate in the consultation and many supported the vision and principles put forward in the Planning Scotland's Seas documents, although there were also many suggestions and concerns about some of the content.

4.4 A small number of respondents to the NMP and MPA consultations commended the suite of consultation documents and the work put in to producing the consultation documents and running the consultation events.

4.5 Similarly, a small number (mainly individuals or small or local groups in many of the consultations) voiced concern over the length and format of the consultation documents and the publicising of the consultation and events.

Ongoing consultation

4.6 One final theme that emerged across consultations was that respondents wish to see ongoing consultation with all relevant stakeholders.