Schedule 1
Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords]
2:15 pm
Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Labour)
I wish to raise my concerns about the resourcing of the MMO and its staffing, and about the Welsh Assembly Government Departments that will take on the responsibilities of the MMO in Welsh waters.
The hon. Member for St. Ives spoke about the consent process for offshore wind, tidal and wave power. My local authority area’s coastline has four projects in various stages of planning or development. There are two wave projects and two tidal projects, and they all pose different problems for the area. I do not say that that will be replicated around the coast, but it gives an indication of the likely level of development that will take place, not only with large offshore wind farms but with a significant number of smaller renewable energy projects, such as tidal and wave power.
I wonder whether the MMO will have sufficient staffing resources, with the right skills, to deal with such a series of applications. The worst thing for the renewables sector is unnecessary delay. It is good to get the consent process working well, ensuring that the environmental impact assessments are completed. The sector understands that, but it is concerned that inadequate staffing resources will lead to unacceptable delays, particularly when dealing with offshore projects. Time is of the essence. Basically, we do not want things being built at sea in the middle of winter, and almost 12 months can be lost if a project is delayed.
As I said earlier, the MMO functions will be dealt with by Welsh Assembly Government Departments in Welsh waters. Is the Minister satisfied that Wales will have sufficient resources? I have cited the four projects already on the drawing board or in various stages of development in my constituency. We should consider what is happening elsewhere in the world, with offshore wind farms and particularly with renewable energy tidal and wave power. I know that the Minister is well aware of the various developments. Will the Welsh Assembly Government have sufficient resource to deal with such projects?
Finally, will the Minister comment on the fact that, although the MMO will act as a one-stop shop for all such developments, as I understand it, depending on the size of a development, the MMO could become involved in some parts of the consenting process, and the Welsh Assembly Government in others?