England’s largest seabird colony will soon benefit from stronger protection as Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey confirms the Flamborough Head and Filey Coast Special Protection Area (SPA) will be extended by over 7,600 hectares.

This protected area of Yorkshire coastline already provides a safe haven for breeding seabirds including gannets, razorbills and the iconic puffin. Now, a quarter of a million breeding seabirds – including almost 2,000 puffins – will be better protected and given a safe space for feeding and foraging.

The announcement comes during National Marine Week, which celebrates the UK’s rich marine life and habitats, and ongoing efforts to protect these for future generations.

Natural England has also launched a consultation to extend the nearby Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SPA by nearly 10,000 hectares, which if designated, will help protect populations of breeding little terns and common terns.

Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said:

We are a world-leader in protecting our marine environment, with a third of our waters already protected as part of our Blue Belt.

National Marine Week is a fantastic opportunity for us all to celebrate the diverse range of habitats which make up the British coastline, and the role we all have to play in protecting these.

These new safeguards for seabirds will help our most precious and iconic wildlife to thrive, and protect our marine environment for future generations to enjoy.

Brad Tooze, Natural England Area Manager for Northumbria:

Extending marine protection areas allows for much loved seabirds to feed and breed in a safe haven, ensuring they can thrive for generations to come in a safe and secure habitat.

Our consultation on extending the Special Protection Area at Teesmouth will help to protect populations of breeding little terns and common terns. Natural England has worked closely with our partners on the Tees to develop these proposals and we welcome views from the local community and stakeholders.

Special Protection Areas are sites designated to protect populations of rare and vulnerable seabirds from human activity – including fishing or outdoor recreation – while minimising disturbance to birds’ open water feeding areas. There are already 45 such sites designated in English waters.

They are just one type of the many Marine Protected Areas in place around the UK to conserve rare, threatened and nationally important habitats and species for future generations. 35 per cent of English waters are part of the Marine Protected Areas network, covering over 200,000 square kilometres.

As part of the Government’s commitment to becoming a world-leader in marine protection, a consultation on designating 41 new Marine Conservation Zones recently closed, receiving an overwhelming 44,000 responses.

The proposed sites will cover an area almost eight times the size of Greater London and help protect species like the short snouted seahorse, stalked jellyfish and peacock’s tail seaweed. If designated, they will mark the most significant expansion of the UK’s ‘Blue Belt’ of protected areas to date.

The Government’s commitment to marine protection forms a key part of our 25 Year Environment Plan, an ambitious roadmap for a greener future.

Alongside expanding the Blue Belt, one of the world’s strongest bans on microbeads was introduced last month to protect our oceans and nine billion fewer bags have been distributed thanks to the Government’s 5p plastic bag charge.

In a further drive to clean up our seas, the Government has also set out ambitious plans to end the sale of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds and introduce a deposit return scheme, subject to consultation later this year.

The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

• what the application is about

• which Environment Agency office you can visit to see the application documents on the public register

• when you need to comment by

The Environment Agency will decide:

• whether to grant or refuse the application

• what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)

Rural Payments service

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At the moment you cannot:

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The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) has £20 million to invest in technologies that support the development of low carbon propulsion technology in the UK and anchor a next-generation supply chain.

The APC is a 10-year, £1 billion joint government and industry commitment. It is designed to accelerate the development of low carbon propulsion technologies and make the UK a global centre of excellence for low carbon vehicle development and production. This is the latest round of funding.

The competition process is delivered by Innovate UK.

Developing low and zero emission technologies in the UK

The APC is particularly looking for projects that support the UK’s long-term capabilities and supply chain in the design, build and manufacture of low-emission vehicle technologies.

Projects must help make capabilities a permanent part of the UK supply chain. They must be in the following areas:

• alternative propulsion systems
• electric machines and power electronics
• energy storage and energy management
• lightweight vehicle and powertrain structures
• thermal propulsion systems

Projects must have a proven technology concept and demonstrate that there is a clear route to market. The primary technology application must be automotive.

Competition information

• the competition opens on 6 August 2018 and the deadline for applications is midday on 3 October 2018
• projects must be led by a business working in partnership with others, and must include an SME and a vehicle manufacturer or tier 1 supplier
• total project costs should range between £5 million and £40 million. They can last between 18 and 42 months
• organisations could attract up to 70% of their project costs
• a briefing event will be held on 16 August 2018 for advice on applying for APC funding