The aim of this review was to provide an assessment of the relevance of, and lessons to be learnt from land use planning for marine spatial planning. Whilst the focus of the review was on marine spatial planning, this explicitly includes a ‘regional’ dimension and overlaps with the development of Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
The project is not intended to be a comprehensive review of the land use planning system, but concentrates on those aspects of it that are potentially relevant to the development of a marine spatial planning system in the seas around England, and particularly relevant to nature conservation. The review relates primarily to the land use planning system in England, but also draws on relevant research and comparisons with the land use planning system in Scotland, Wales and Ireland.