Research and analysis: Temporal variability of priority marine species and habitats

Requirement R110

Requirement detail

Species and habitats often have variable distribution and condition in space and time. Some are particularly dynamic such as those in transitional and intertidal waters that span the land and sea. Variability occurs over many different times scales from seasons to multi-year cycles and decades.

Temporal changes however, remain a challenge for management, particularly separating the different sources of natural variation including seasonal change or multi-year cycles like the North Atlantic Oscillation from human influences on natural variation including climate change impacts, or direct human induced variability. Similar challenges exist in defining the bounds of variability and accounting for the associated uncertainty in decision making.

This requirement is for mechanisms to describe temporal variability, differentiate sources and apply these to priority species/habitats. It will also examine how best to incorporate such temporal variability within marine management approaches.



Research and analysis: Co-location displacement in the marine area, the likelihood and impact on marine activities

Requirement R016

Requirement detail

Marine plans form a plan-led system for marine activities. Marine plans will ensure that different and competing activities are managed in such a way that they contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. A key issue in all marine plan areas is the optimisation of space through promoting compatibility and encouraging co-existence between different activities. As such co-existence or displacement of activities should be considered within marine licensing.

An evaluation approach providing integrated consideration of the environmental, social and economic impacts of co-location/displacement has been proposed in research project MMO 1049 but further research and development is required to put this approach into working practice.

Plan level evaluation of the impacts and risks for multiple use areas is required to inform plan development. Using an improved approach when identifying the issues stemming from co-location and displacement of activities at a plan area scale would allow better consideration of such issues at the project level through marine licensing.

A process has been scoped out but would need further development and incorporation into licensing processes to enable balanced consideration of co-location/displacement impacts. This project should build on the outputs of MMO 1049, which outlines a proposed framework of comparing co-existence versus no-coexistence and makes recommendations for next steps in terms of this piece of work.



Research and analysis: Impact of external pressures on fisheries in Western Waters (area 7)

Requirement R046

Requirement detail

Current fisheries fleet forecasting models used in marine management are unable to account for some pressures which may affect activity within the fishery (such as quotas in other areas, stock price change, availability and diversification). Exploration of the impact of these pressures on fisheries activities would allow identification of high risk pressures which could, in turn, be used to improve forecasting model outputs. This requirement is specific to ‘Area VII’ for forecasting the behaviour of the scallop and crab fisheries. In particular it is considered important to explore how stock availability in other regional fisheries, local to Area VII, affects fishing effort.

At this time, models make predictions based on historic data within the area. These models are currently unable to incorporate other potential behavioural drivers. Evidence is required on what other pressures may be driving fisheries behaviour within Area VII, and whether there are datasets with suitable coverage in time and space that can be utilised to further improve model predictions.

The aim is for a range of predictor variables to be identified through this project, with those demonstrating significant improvement in forecasting being included into an improved model.



Press release: Major upgrades for eastern A27 announced

Four junctions along a nine mile section of the A27 between Lewes and Polegate will be improved, a section of the Polegate bypass will be upgraded to a dual carriageway and walking and cycling facilities along the whole stretch will be enhanced.

The plans were put to the public last year, with 78 per cent of respondents backing the need for improvements. Today, (Tuesday 26 September) Highways England has announced the results of the consultation and the preferred options being taken forward at each location.

Highways England Project Manager Tom Beasley said:

I would like to thank everyone who took part in our consultation. It’s great to see that there is such strong backing for improvements to this section of the A27, and there were some really good ideas put forward. People’s input has helped to shape our plans and we’ve made some key changes to our proposals to make sure they deliver the biggest benefit. In particular we’ve prioritised improvements at Polegate including the Gainsborough Lane junction, over the Selmeston bypass option and introduced a new enhanced option for upgrading the Wilmington junction – all as a result of people’s input. There will be an opportunity for people to see more detailed plans when we present the final designs at public exhibition events next year.

The plans include:

  • widening Drusillas Roundabout to improve journeys along the A27 and for north-south traffic at the junction
  • a new option for upgrading Wilmington junction, making it easier for drivers to join or leave the A27 and including a horse rider and cycle friendly Pegasus crossing
  • widening a half a mile section of the A27 between the Polegate interchange and the Cophall roundabout to a dual carriageway, and an upgraded, signalised junction at Polegate
  • near to the Polegate interchange, as a result of the consultation, introducing new proposals for upgrading the Gainsborough Lane junction by providing a right turn facility
  • significant enhancements to the walking and cycle routes along this nine mile stretch of the A27, including a new pedestrian and cycle path between Firle and Polegate

Proposals to upgrade Selmeston junction have been withdrawn after no options could be found that would deliver a worthwhile benefit without having an unacceptable impact on the South Downs national park.

The proposed plans will help to make journeys more reliable, ease congestion and improve safety along this section of the A27, especially at the key pinch points in Polegate and Wilmington. They are part of the Government’s record £15bn investment in roads between 2015 and 2020, which is improving people’s journeys, making roads safer and boosting the economy.

A public consultation on the options was held from 27 October to 8 December 2016. A total of 1,140 responses were received during this consultation. Ten events were held at venues near the A27 east of Lewes scheme corridor for the public and stakeholders including local authorities, landowners and businesses, with over 1,000 people attending the events.

78% of people who responded to the consultation questionnaire said they are very concerned about road safety, with 70% very concerned about congestion or delays at junctions.

A copy of the consultation report and announcement flyer can be found on the Highways England website.

Anyone interested in the scheme can sign up to receive updates via the (project page)[http://www.highways.gov.uk/A27EastofLewes] on the Highways England website where they can also see visualisations outlining the preferred options.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.



Notice: EX15 2PJ, Willand O&M Limited: environmental permit issued

Updated: Amended attached issuing documents.

The Environment Agency publish permits that they issue under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

This decision includes the permit and decision document for:

  • Operator name: Willand O&M Limited
  • Installation name: Willand Anaerobic Digester
  • Permit number: EPR/WP3533AJ/A001