Marine planning in Scotland is driven by the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the EU Marine Spatial Planning Directive, and integrated across the devolved Administrations of the UK by the UK Marine Policy Statement and the UK Marine and Coastal Protection Act 2009. The passing of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 set the wheels in motion for the full development of marine planning in Scotland.

The UK Government and devolved Administrations agreed a vision for our marine environment – healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. The UK Marine Policy Statement (2009) includes high level marine objectives and sets out the broad outcomes for the marine area in achieving this vision.

Marine Scotland, a Directorate of the Scottish Government, undertakes marine management in Scotland, in support of the vision for the marine environment. Marine Scotland carries out many functions including: science and research; policy development and delivery; compliance, monitoring and enforcement of marine and fisheries laws; aquaculture and offshore renewables development.

Marine Scotland, on behalf of Scottish Ministers, has the primary responsibility for marine planning and licensing from Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) out to 200 nautical miles (nm) and conservation of species to 12 nm. The UK Government is responsible for implementation of EC conservation directives from 12-200 nm; Ministry of Defence related activities in all UK waters; as well as shipping, coastguards and navigation and oil and gas and customs and excise in all waters.

The measures incorporated within the Marine (Scotland) Act include:

• Marine planning: a new statutory marine planning system to sustainably manage the increasing, and often conflicting, demands on our seas
• Marine licensing: a simpler licensing system, minimising the number of licences required for development in the marine environment to cut bureaucracy and encourage economic investment
• Marine conservation: improved marine nature and historic conservation with new powers to protect and manage areas of importance for marine wildlife, habitats and historic monuments
• Seal conservation: much improved protection for seals and a new comprehensive licence system to ensure appropriate management when necessary
• Enforcement: a range of enhanced powers of marine conservation and licensing

Land use (terrestrial) planning authorities comprise a range of organisations including:

• Strategic Planning Authorities
• Local Planning Authorities (councils)
• National Park Authorities

Terrestrial planners are responsible for planning down to Mean Low Water Springs and for marine fish farming (finfish and shellfish); marine plans extend up Mean High Water Springs so the two planning regimes overlap in the intertidal zone, between low and high water springs.

The Planning Circular 1/2015 entitled ‘The relationship between the statutory land use planning system and marine planning and licensing’ gives guidance about how the two systems should work together and encourages planners to communicate effectively and where possible to align policies. The CMPP is striving to achieve this integration between land and sea planning systems.

The CMPP recognises that it is also important to develop relationships and foster knowledge of marine planning within departments other than planning including roads, infrastructure, flood planning and biodiversity/environment.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and eight local authorities lie within the boundary of the CMR. These are: Argyll and Bute, North and South Ayrshire and Clydeplan, the strategic development planning authority, who represent: West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow City Council, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and South Lanarkshire.