The Coast Protection Act (CPA) 1949
- What is a CPA consent needed for?
- What is exempt from a CPA consent?
- What is the jurisdiction of CPA control?
- What is considered when making a CPA consent decision?
- How long is a CPA valid for?
Disclaimer: For reasons of public health and protection of the environment tacit authorisation does not apply to this licence application process.
What is a CPA consent needed for?
Under Section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949 (as amended by Section 36 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 and the Energy Act 2004) the consent of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, is required for the following operations:
i. the construction, alteration or improvement of any works on, under or over any part of the seashore lying below the level of mean high water springs;
ii. the deposit of any object or materials below the level of mean high water springs;
iii. the removal of any object or materials from the seashore below the level of mean low water springs (e.g. dredging).
What is exempt from a CPA consent?
The Act does not apply to works in non-tidal inland waters.
What is the jurisdiction of CPA control?
A Consent may be required under Part II of the Act for works anywhere below the Mean High Water Spring tide mark out to the limit of territorial waters, and beyond into waters designated under the Continental Shelf Act 1961.
Please click this link for a map of CPA control jurisdiction (PDF, 49 KB)
What is considered when making a CPA consent decision?
Section 34 of the Act imposes restrictions on works which may be detrimental to the safety of navigation. However, subsequent environmental regulations extend Section 34 such that account must additionally be taken of potential environmental effects in harbour areas or in or close to certain designated sites.
How long is a CPA consent valid for?
A CPA consent is normally valid for a period of three years. However, so that applicants may elect to make a joint application for works that also require a FEPA licence, the duration of a consent may be amended so as to bring the expiry dates of both consents (where issued) into alignment.