Orkney Islands Regional Marine Plan Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 2005 Section 8(1) Screening Determination

Orkney Islands Council has determined, in consultation with Historic Environment Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage (now named NatureScot), that the Orkney Islands Regional Marine Plan is likely to have significant environmental effects. A Strategic Environmental Assessment is therefore required.

The screening determination, including a statement of reasons, is available to view at Customer Services in the Council Offices and on the Marine Planning page. A copy may be obtained, free of charge, by emailing marine.planning@orkney.gov.uk.  Written requests should be addressed to Development & Marine Planning, Orkney Islands Council, School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1NY.

Statement of Reasons

The Orkney Islands Regional Marine Plan will contain statutory policies and spatial information that will guide public authority decision making on marine development and activities in the Orkney marine region. Orkney Islands Council has undertaken a screening assessment and its findings indicate that there is potential for implementation of the Plan to influence all the environmental receptors that are considered through Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). A full SEA will therefore be carried out in parallel with preparation of the Plan.

Roddy MacKay

Head of Planning, Development and Regulatory Services

10 January 2022