National News

Coastal Communities Fund – 5 areas of the North West to benefit

NW Coastal Forum

The Coastal Communities Fund was established in 2012 to encourage the economic development of UK coastal communities by awarding funding to create sustainable economic growth and jobs. Recently it was announced that £36m is being given out to communities around the UK, including 5 in the North West. Morecambe Bay Partnership will receive £297000 to […]

Welsh Government designates first Marine Conservation Zone

NWCF

The Welsh Government has designated its first Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) in the waters around Skomer Island off the coast of Pembrokeshire. Skomer Island was originally designated as a Marine Nature Reserve in 1990 but this designation is automatically altered to an MCZ due to the commencement of provisions in the Marine and Coastal Access Act […]

New Report on Social and Economic Assessment Requirements for Development Projects Affecting the Marine Environment

NWCF

A new report has been produced by the Social and Economic Assessment Sub-Group of the Productive Seas Evidence Group (PSEG), which is  one of the 4 evidence groups set up as part of the UK Marine Monitoring and Assessment Strategy (UKMMAS). The report – ‘Social and Economic Assessment Requirements for Development Projects Affecting the Marine Environment’  reviews […]

A Strategic Framework for Scoping Cumulative Effects (MMO 1055)

NWCF

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) commissinoed NIRAS Consulting Limited, supported by AMEC, to  develop a consistent approach to the identification and consideration of cumulative effects that could be applied at the strategic level across all relevant MMO functions. They were asked to look at cumulative effects of marine activities across the strategic, regional and individual project level. The […]

Solent Forum Newsletter Update – Winter 2014/2015

NWCF

The Solent Forum has issued its newsletter for winter 2014/2015. The content includes a wide range of news from around the Solent as well as relevant national news and items on the work of the Solent Forum itself. It introduces the new Solent Forum Chairman, Peter Barham and covers issues such as development of the South Marine Plan […]

Affordable flood insurance on the horizon for householders

NWCF

In the near future households located with areas prone to high risk of flooding will be better protected against increasing insurance costs through Flood Re. Flood Re has come one step closer to implementation after the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and Flood Re agreed in December 2014 how the scheme will operate, enabling legislation […]

Scotland’s draft National Marine Plan laid before Parliament

NWCF

On the 11th December 2014 the draft National Marine Plan for Scottish waters was submitted to Scottish Parliament. The plan will be critically examined during a 40 day period by parliament and Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee (RACCE). The plan covers Scotland’s inshore and offshore waters, with the primary aim to manage human […]

Treasury to help fund 1400 flood defence projects in England

NWCF

The Treasury plans to help fund 1400 flood defence projects across England over the next six years. The Treasury will spend a £2.3 billion budget on flood defence infrastructure for 300,000 homes. Areas vulnerable to flooding such as the Thames Estuary, Humber Estuary and Somerset will be targeted for major investment to reduce the impacts of […]

Royal Society publishes ‘Resilience to extreme weather’ report

NWCF

The Royal Society has published a report entitled “Resilience to extreme weather”. The report examines how we reduce the impacts of extreme weather events and how prepared we are for future climate change. Climate-related extreme events such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves are documented in relation to human resilience. International agreements will be reached to […]

Wave Energy Scotland – A new governmental body promoting offshore energy

NWCF

The Scottish Government has announced it is to creat a new new wave energy technology development body – Wave Energy Scotland. It will bring together expertise from engineering and academia to collaborate on innovative projects to accelerate the development of wave technology. Scottish waters offer the majority of the UK’s wave resources – potentially 46 TWh/year. For more […]