Marine Licences Drive Coastal Development, Environmental Restoration and Infrastructure Protection in England's Seas
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-13)

MMO marine licensing approvals for projects from marina expansion and coastal defence to environmental restoration and sustainable infrastructure removal.

Dart Marina Expansion Approved to Boost Tourism and Recreation in Dartmouth

Dart Marina Limited secured marine licensing approval for an expansion project at Dart Marina, located on the western bank of the River Dart in Dartmouth. The project involves the removal of five existing piles and installation of seven new ones to support a revised layout of Piers B, C, and D. Construction is scheduled to take place during the off-peak winter season.

The development will see the extension of Piers C and D, creating seven new berths to accommodate increased demand from boat owners and visitors. Additionally, the downstream Pier B hammerhead will be shortened to optimise space and functionality.

Dart Marina is a popular destination offering a range of berthing options, including annual, seasonal, and short-stay services. Its direct access to Dartmouth makes it a key hub for marine tourism and recreation.

The MMO Marine Licensing team played a proactive role in processing the application, ensuring the applicant had provided all necessary information for a timely determination, which was completed within MMO’s key performance indicators.

The approved licence is expected to benefit the public by increasing berthing capacity, enhancing access to the marina, and supporting local tourism and leisure activities.

Coastal Defence Upgrade to Protect Cumbrian Rail Line and Marine Access

Network Rail Limited received marine licensing approval for essential coastal defence works at Lidge Gate Wall, a strategic site located between Askam and Kirkby-in-Furness stations in Cumbria. The project aims to reinforce the shoreline and safeguard the railway line that runs adjacent to the coast.

The approved works included the installation of new sea defences, removal of debris and existing rock armour, excavation, and the placement of new rock armour. A concrete revetment has also been constructed to strengthen the coastal barrier. These measures are designed to address erosion at the saltmarsh edge and ensure long-term protection of the railway infrastructure.

The MMO Marine Licensing team worked closely with Natural England and other consultees to ensure environmental safeguards were in place, particularly for the protected natterjack toad species. Mitigation measures included fingertip searches, on-site ecological supervision during rock delivery, and staff briefings to raise awareness of potential impacts.

The licence approval not only secures the railway line but also preserves public access to the marine environment, reinforcing the value of sustainable coastal management.

Natural Coastal Defences Strengthened at MoD Fingringhoe to Boost Biodiversity and Climate Resilience

A pioneering environmental restoration project has been approved at the Ministry of Defence Fingringhoe firing range in Essex, aimed at regenerating saltmarsh habitat and reinforcing seawall defences using entirely natural materials.

Led by Landmarc Support Services, the project involves the installation of 100 metres of brushwood fencing and 1,000 square metres of coir matting. These materials will trap sediment and encourage saltmarsh succession, creating a soft-engineered defence against coastal erosion. The restored saltmarsh will not only stabilise the seawall but also extend its lifespan and deliver valuable ecosystem benefits.

In a unique approach, all works were carried out by hand without the use of machinery, and only biodegradable, natural materials were used. The project required a standard marine licence due to minor habitat loss to Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) mudflats.

The MMO Marine Licensing team facilitated a swift determination by working closely with Historic England, who had raised concerns about potential archaeological impacts due to the site’s rich history of Iron Age, Roman, and World War II artefacts. After the applicant updated their archaeological assessment, the MMO deemed further conditions unnecessary, allowing the works to proceed.

The public stands to benefit significantly from the project, which enhances biodiversity, strengthens flood defences, and contributes to climate change mitigation by restoring natural coastal habitats.

Second Subsea Cable Removal Licence Granted to Support Sustainable Marine Development

The MMO granted a marine licence to Eunetworks Fiber UK Limited for the removal of a disused telecommunications cable from the seabed off the coast of North Yorkshire, marking only the second such approval in UK territorial waters.

The project involves the removal of 28.2km of the Tycom Global Networks subsea cable, which lies between Hunmanby Gap and the 12 nautical mile limit.

The removal is part of a lease agreement with The Crown Estate, requiring the cable owner to remove the out-of-service infrastructure once it is no longer operational.

Beyond environmental benefits, the cable materials hold financial value and are expected to be recycled upon recovery.

Drawing on experience from the first cable removal licence, the MMO Marine Licensing team provided detailed pre-application guidance to the applicant. A key consideration was the potential impact on local fishers using static gear near the cable route. The MMO worked collaboratively with the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) to ensure these concerns were addressed and mitigated.