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Marine Planning

Maritime spatial planning (MSP) is a tool to manage the use of our maritime area coherently and to ensure that human activities take place in an efficient, safe and sustainable way.

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The Process

It is a process which reduces use conflicts, facilitates investment, increases cross border cooperation, and protects the environment. Ireland, with one of the largest maritime areas in the EU, has recently introduced a new planning system under the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act, which provides a framework for marine policies, sectoral plans (e.g. offshore wind), coherent permitting and environmental assessment.

Experience and Expertise

MDB has been at the forefront in developing the MSP system in Ireland from advising on the transposition of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive to supporting the reform of marine management, advising on the practical implementation of the MAP Act, and assisting major individual offshore wind projects.

MDB has a multi-disciplinary team with a range of expertise developed across applied research, governance, data collation, spatial analysis, and statutory planning projects. We have advised the European Commission, government departments, state agencies, regulators, local coastal planning authorities and private sector developers.

See our range of projects here

Our services include:

  • Governance and processes
  • Regulatory advice
  • Policy analysis and development
  • Sectoral plans
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Data and mapping support
  • Support assessments such as EIA, SEA and AA
  • Planning applications
  • Oral hearings and written appeals

Contact us

Get in touch with MacCabe Durney Barnes today

+353 1 676 2594planning@mdb.ie

Other Services

Planning and Development

Environmental Planning & Natural Resources

Placemaking & Urban Regeneration

Research & Governance