Maritime Area Planning Act 2021

Reviews of DMAPs, etc.

26. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a competent authority (D) shall, not later than six years after a DMAP (being a DMAP for the time being in force) prepared by the competent authority (D) was first published, carry out a review thereof and, following the completion of the review, either—

(a) prepare and publish, in accordance with this Part and the MSP Directive, a new DMAP to replace the first-mentioned DMAP, or

(b) in circumstances where the competent authority (D) decides not to prepare and publish such new DMAP, as soon as is practicable after making that decision, prepare a statement setting out the reasons why the competent authority (D) has made that decision and publish the decision on its website.

(2) (a) The Minister may issue a policy directive under section 8 requiring a competent authority (D) to review under subsection (1) a DMAP prepared by the competent authority (D) and to carry out such review in accordance with the provisions of the directive.

(b) The competent authority the subject of a policy directive referred to in paragraph (a) shall comply with the directive.