The draft Marine Bill must outline councils' role in integrating offshore planning, according to the LGiU. Included in the draft Bill are proposals for a unified planning system, with to foster simpler licensing of installations such as wind farms, and the creation of the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), which will be responsible for enforcing environmental laws and regulating development at sea. Dr Andy Johnston, head of the LGiU's centre for local sustainability, said: ‘The MMO will license sea facilities whereas local government will be responsible for licensing onshore facilities, so there is a need for joining up the two areas of licensing.'
