Proposed HPMA Site at Lindisfarne not designated

Defra has announced that it intends to designate the first three Highly Protected Marine Areas in English waters.

Defra received over 900 responses to our consultation on candidate sites, demonstrating strong and varied views. The responses, and further evidence also provided, have been analysed. The government intends to designate a modified version of Allonby Bay, North East of Farnes Deep and a modified version of Dolphin Head as set out in the consultation, and not to designate Lindisfarne or Inner Silver Pit South. The intention is to designate these three HPMAs before 6 July 2023, within a year of the consultation’s launch, in line with the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Defra has also announced that it will explore additional sites. Any future candidate sites will also be subject to consultation.

We have today published a summary of responses on our gov.uk page – Highly Protected Marine Areas pilot sites – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).