Marine Licensing

Environmental Impact Assessment and Natural Habitats (Extraction of Minerals by Marine Dredging) (Wales) Regulations 2007

The Marine Consents Unit (MCU) is responsible for administering and issuing permissions under the Environmental Impact Assessment and Natural Habitats (Extraction of Minerals by Marine Dredging) (Wales) Regulations 2007.

Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA)

From 1st March 2010, the MCU has taken over the administration and issuing of licenses in Wales under Part II of FEPA (deposits in the sea). This function was previously administered by the Marine & Fisheries Agency (MFA) on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Coast Protection Act 1949 (CPA)

From 1st April 2010, the MCU has taken over the administration of applications under the Coast Protection Act 1949 (CPA). This function was previously administered by the MFA on behalf of the Department for Transport. All new CPA or joint (FEPA/CPA) applications for projects/activities in Welsh waters should now be submitted to the MCU.

Telecommunications Act 1984

From 1st April 2010, the MCU has also taken over the administration of Approvals for telecommunications cabling, etc under the Telecommunications Act 1984, paragraph 11, Schedule 2. The Telecommunications Act covers proposals to install telecommunications cables at sea and in other tidal waters below the level of mean high water springs (MHWS).

For further information on any of the above, please use the options on the left hand side.

Future responsibilities

In the future, the MCU will also have responsibility for:

• Marine European Protected Species Licensing; and
• The new licensing regime under the Marine & Coastal Access Act 2009.

Contact us

If you would like to contact the MCU please do so by:

Email: mcu@wales.gsi.gov.uk or

Telephone: 02920 823526 or 02920 801250.