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Written question asked by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Friday, 12 April 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 April 2024. It was answered by Justin Tomlinson (Conservative) on Monday, 22 April 2024 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Marine Protected Areas

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2024 to Question 18572: Marine Protected Areas, whether she received advice from the (a) Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning and (b) Joint Nature Conservancy Council that any of the first 27 licences from the 33rd Offshore Oil and Gas Licensing Round would result in adverse impacts on marine protected areas.

Answer

The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) undertook a screening assessment under the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001. This assessment included consultation with appropriate nature conservation bodies, including Joint Nature Conservation Committee. OPRED also undertook a Marine Conservation Zone / Marine Protected Area assessment in accordance with the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

OPRED’s assessments concluded that award of the first 27 licences would not result in adverse impacts on the relevant protected areas. The SoS received advice from OPRED on the outcome of these assessments throughout the 33rd Round process. Assessment reports were published in July 2023: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64be43579c2df00012940285/33rd_Round_HRA_Screening_Report.pdf; https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64c77b5ff92186000d8667b6/33R_Round_MCZ_MPA_Assessment_Report.pdf.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
21283
Session
2023-24
Related items
Marine Protected Areas
Thursday, 21 March 2024
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Marine protected areas
Legislation
Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill 2023-24
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk