Coastal Development

We have extensive experience advising developers, investors, port & harbour authorities and local authorities on:

• coastal works, 
• marine infrastructure, 
• coastal infrastructure, 
• coastal protection, and 
• coastal defences projects, 

currently equating to over £1 billion of port infrastructure consenting projects. 

These projects are often complex and involve multiple stakeholders. We are able to provide a seamless service from inception of development proposals through to utilisation or disposal of the completed development, including all aspects of of marine and coastal development consenting (including marine licensing), commercial property, construction, finance and grant funding (including subsidy control advice).

Obtaining the consents required for coastal development can be one of the most complex and time-consuming aspects of the project. These consents may include one or a number of the following; 

• planning permission,
• marine licences
• Harbour Orders
• harbour 'works' licences
• EIA consent
• a development consent order  (or DCO)
• a compulsory purchase order  (or CPO)
• a Transport and Works Act Order
• related environmental consents.

Failure to understand fully the interaction of these different regimes can mean that you pursue the wrong consenting strategy, leading to projects being severely delayed or halted. We have an in-depth knowledge of the interaction between these regimes - including any exemptions or permitted development rights that may apply. This enables us to pursue consents in a timely and cost-effective manner, thereby reducing project delay.

We also advise on a range of related matters that may need to be considered at the early stages of a development including:

• Interference with the public right of navigation
• EIA deferrals
• Statutory harbour powers
• Wildlife licensing
• Marine licensing associated with structure maintenance.

Our coastal development experience

• Advising a government department in connection with the construction of a new Ferry Terminal in a UK port including, marine licensing, EIA deferrals and statutory harbour power related advice.
• Advising in respect of a major mixed use coastal regeneration project, including the Harbour Empowerment/Revision Order, planning permission, marine licenses, other marine consents, and environmental consents.
• Advising on a large flood defence scheme within statutory harbour limits, including in relation to the Harbour Revision Order, the marine licence required to authorise the scheme and interaction with the terrestrial planning regime.
• Advising in respect of planning permission, marine licences, other marine consents (including Wildlife Licensing), the Public Right of Navigation and EIA Regulation 10 Deferral connected to a number of multi-million-pound coastal developments.
• Advising on the terms of construction documentation for harbour regeneration scheme and new marina involving the installation of a wave gate, pontoons, and marina building. In addition, advising on matters related to the lease, a licence of the seabed from the Crown Estate and marine licensing.
• Acting for a commercial developer whose portfolio includes hotels, residential, leisure, retail and care homes, in respect of a multi-million pound coastal development project involving a new 4/5 star hotel, land reclamation to support the construction of several hundred flats and a new ferry terminal, in addition to a new extended marina. The advice we are providing includes marine licensing, harbour-related aspects, and a Transport and Works Act Order for the development.
• Advising on a range of port infrastructure developments (some up to £300 million in value) in Scotland relating to both EIA and non-EIA projects to modernise and improve infrastructure, some for the purpose of improving the capacity for offshore renewable operations and maintenance. This work includes project consenting, drafting Works Harbour Revision Orders and associated documents, leading on the HRO applications for the client with Transport Scotland as well as marine regulatory advice, environmental advice including Environmental Impact Assessments, and project funding advice. 
• Acting for a Council in respect of a project worth circa £4.6 million to construct a bridge over a tidal river to encourage green transport. We are advising in respect of project consenting (EIA advice and an application for a Transport and Works Act Order), and marine regulatory advice, including in relation to a Marine Licence for the proposed works. 
• Advising a Port developer in relation to their proposals to develop a bespoke port facility to service the offshore wind sector, including obtaining the required development and landowner consents.