Member News
My Government will bring forward measures to protect the environment for future generations. A Bill will be introduced to manage marine resources and to create a new right of public access to the coastline.
Queen's Speech 2008, December 3 2008
The Marine and Coastal Access Act is designed to improve the way Britain manages its coastal, offshore and wildlife interests.
The Act proposes to open up the coastline to more leisure activities and to protect the surrounding marine environment. It includes proposals for a coastal path across the entire British shoreline to encourage public interest in protection and biodiversity.
The legislation was branded as “groundbreaking” by government, stating that no other country has attempted such a “complex, strategic approach” to marine environment.
By improving coastal access to the public, people will be granted the right to walk around the English coast for the first time.
The Act also intends to establish a Marine Management Organisation (MMO), to become the UK’s centre for marine conservation and policy.
The MMO will oversee the development of the UK’s marine expertise through a marine planning system. The body will apply to the inshore waters around England, as well as the UK’s offshore waters.
Legislation also seeks to simplify current marine licensing, so it becomes faster and cheaper to license marine developments.
Progress
House of Lords
First reading: December 4 2008 [HL Bill 1]
Second reading: December 15 2008
Committee of the Whole House:
- 1st sitting: January 12 2009
- 2nd sitting: January 21 2009
- 3rd sitting: January 28 2009
- 4th sitting: February 10 2009
- 5th sitting: February 23 2009
- 6th sitting: March 3 2009
- 7th sitting: March 9 2009
- 8th sitting: March 11 2009
- 9th sitting: March 16 2009
- 10th sitting: March 30 2009
- 11th sitting: April 21 2009
- Bill as amended: [HL Bill 38]
Report stage:
- 1st day: May 5 2009
- 2nd day: May 12 2009
- 3rd day: May 19 2009
- 4th day: June 1 2009
- Bill as amended: [HL Bill 49]
Third reading: June 8 2009
House of Lords
First reading: June 9 2009 [HC Bill 108]
Second reading: June 23 2009
Committee stage:
- 1st sitting: June 30 2009 (am)
- 2nd sitting: June 30 2009 (pm)
- 3rd sitting: July 2 2009 (am)
- 4th sitting: July 2 2009 (pm)
- 5th sitting: July 7 2009 (am)
- 6th sitting: July 7 2009 (pm)
- 7th sitting: July 9 2009 (am)
- 8th sitting: July 9 2009 (pm)
- 9th sitting: July 14 2009
- Bill as amended in committee: July 16 2009 [HL Bill 137]
Report stage:
- 1st day: October 26 2009
- 2nd day: October 27 2009
Third reading: October 26 2009
Consideration of Commons Amendments: [HL Bill 76]
Royal Assent
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