• Home
• Background to the Study and Key Facts
• Proposed Approach
• Framework for MSP
• Locational Guidance (Wave & Tidal)
• Consultation Events
• Timetable
• Project Team
• Useful Links

Welcome

This website provides information on the marine spatial plan being prepared for the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters. It aims to allow all those with an interest to keep up-to-date with the progress and act as a gateway to reports and other news of interest - particularly as the project enters its consultation phase.

This study is being undertaken as a result of two related events:

• The considerable interest in developing marine renewable energy in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters

• The emergence of marine spatial planning, which would become a statutory requirement with the enactment of the Scottish Marine Bill.

The key outputs of this study are:

• A MSP Framework to provide guidance and direction for the preparation of a future, statutory MSP for the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters. The Framework will cover all relevant marine sectors, activities and objectives; and

• Regional Locational Guidance for wave and tidal stream energy developments (individually and cumulatively) for the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters. This work needs to be undertaken rapidly in order to usefully inform emerging development proposals.

The initial report setting out the Proposed Approach for the preparation of the MSP Framework and Locational Guidance has now been completed and can be accessed from the menu on left. We are seeking comments on this approach by 26 June 2009.