Coastal Development

We have extensive experience advising on a wide range of coastal development projects, working with clients including developers, investors, port & harbour authorities and local authorities.

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 commercial property, construction and finance.

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 and acting for the RNLI in respect of the charity's marine licensing requirements for maintenance of all existing infrastructure across the UK (in excess of 240 sites). Successfully secured the grant of ground-breaking regional marine licences in England, Wales, and Scotland.
• 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.
• Advising a marine cable installation contractor in related to disputed variations under a FIDIC Yellow Book contract for termination and testing of 18 kilometres of core submarine cables in relation to an offshore windfarm.