Section 69 Determination of applicationsC5C6C7I1I2C1
United Kingdom
In determining an application for a marine licence (including the terms on which it is to be granted and what conditions, if any, are to be attached to it), the appropriate licensing authority must have regard to—
the need to protect the environment,
the need to protect human health,
the need to prevent interference with legitimate uses of the sea,
and such other matters as the authority thinks relevant.
In the case of an application for a licence to authorise such activities as are mentioned in item 7 F1or item 18 in section 66(1), the appropriate licensing authority must have regard (among other things) to the effects of any use intended to be made of the works in question when constructed, altered or improved.
The appropriate licensing authority must have regard to any representations which it receives from any person having an interest in the outcome of the application.
A licensing authority may—
from time to time consult any person or body it thinks fit as to the general manner in which the licensing authority proposes to exercise its powers in cases involving any matter in which that person or body has particular expertise;
in relation to any particular application, consult any person or body which has particular expertise in any matter arising in relation to that application.
If the appropriate licensing authority consults any person or body under subsection (4)(b), it must give the applicant the opportunity to make representations to the licensing authority about any observations made by the person or body.
Regulation 3 of the Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 makes provision about the time within which certain applications under this section for the granting of rights to install facilities must be determined.
A licensing authority may by regulations make further provision as to the procedure to be followed in connection with—
applications to it for marine licences, and
the grant by it of such licences.
The provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (6) includes (in particular) provision as to—
the period within which any function is to be exercised (including when that period is to begin and how it is to be calculated);
notifying the applicant of any licensing determination.
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
Words in s. 69(2) inserted (9.8.2026) by The Marine Licensing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment etc.) Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/676), arts. 1(1), 5
- F2
S. 69(5A) inserted (E.W.) (26.5.2011) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1210), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 101 (with Sch. 3 para. 12)
Modifications
- C1
S. 69 excluded in part (W.) (15.12.2025) by Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (asc 3), ss. 83(4), 147(2) (with s. 83(5)); S.I. 2025/698, art. 3(d)
- C2
S. 69(3) excluded by 2008 c. 29, s. 149A(5) (as inserted (6.4.2011) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 8 para. 4(2) (with s. 111); S.I. 2011/556, art. 3(2)(a))
- C3
S. 69(3)(5) excluded (18.2.2026) by 1992 c. 42, s. 19A(5) (as inserted by Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (c. 34), ss. 44(1), 118(1)(z) (with ss. 44(2), 116))
- C4
S. 69(5) excluded by 2008 c. 29, s. 149A(5) (as inserted (6.4.2011) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 8 para. 4(2) (with s. 111); S.I. 2011/556, art. 3(2)(a))
- C5
Pt. 4 modified (7.9.2016) by The Hornsea Two Offshore Wind Farm Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/844), arts. 1(2), 36 (with arts. 37, 38)
- C6
Pt. 4 applied (E.W.S) (1.1.2022) by The Norfolk Boreas Offshore Wind Farm Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1414), arts. 1, 32 (with arts. 41, 42, Sch. 17 para. 66)
- C7
Pt. 4 applied (E.W.S.) (5.3.2022) by The Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Farm Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/138), arts. 1, 32 (with arts. 41, 42, Sch. 16)
Commencement
- I1
S. 69 partly in force; s. 69 in force for specified purposes at Royal Assent see s. 324(1)(c)
- I2
S. 69 in force at 6.4.2011 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2011/556, art. 3(2)(a)
Notes on Part 4
Modifications
- C1
Pt. 4 excluded (11.3.2015) by The Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/318), arts. 1, 8(6) (with arts. 40, 41, Pt. 2 para. 4(2), Pt. 2 para. 4(3), Pt. 2 para. 19, Pt. 4 para. 3, Pt. 4 para. 4, Pt. 4 para. 16, Sch. 12 paras. 4, 9(2), 10)
- C2
Pt. 4 excluded (26.8.2015) by The Dogger Bank Teesside A and B Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1592), arts. 1, 8(7) (with arts. 40, 41)
- C4
Pt. 4 modified (15.9.2016) by The River Humber Gas Pipeline Replacement Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/853), arts. 1, 39 (with art. 43)
- C5
Pt. 4 modified (22.1.2021) by The Hornsea Three Offshore Wind Farm Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/1656), arts. 1, 31 (with arts. 40, 41, Sch. 9 Pt. 5 para. 18)
- C8
Pt. 4 modified (29.12.2022) by The Keadby 3 (Carbon Capture Equipped Gas Fired Generating Station) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1396), arts. 1, 39 (with art. 32, Sch. 10 paras. 26(2), 68)
- C9
Pt. 4 modified (28.4.2025) by The Rampion 2 Offshore Wind Farm Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/468), arts. 1, 39 (with arts. 47, 48, Sch. 10)
- C10
Pt. 4 modified (28.7.2025) by The Mona Offshore Wind Farm Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/870), arts. 1, 5 (with arts. 37, 38, Sch. 10)
- C11
Pt. 4 modified (22.9.2025) by The Morgan Offshore Wind Project Generation Assets Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/1012), arts. 1, 5 (with arts. 9, 10)
- C12
Pt. 4 modified (27.11.2025) by The Cory Decarbonisation Project Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/1227), arts. 1, 42(1) (with Sch. 12)
- C13
Pt. 4 modified (23.12.2025) by The Morecambe Offshore Windfarm Generation Assets Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/1366), arts. 1, 5 (with arts. 9, 10)
- C14
Pt. 4 modified (8.1.2026) by The Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/1376), arts. 1, 5 (with arts. 39, 40, Sch. 9)
- C15
Pt. 4: power to amend or modify conferred (12.2.2026) by Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 (c. 6), ss. 22(3), 32(1) (with s. 30)
- C16
Pt. 4 modified (5.6.2026) by The North Falls Offshore Wind Farm Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/567), arts. 1, 35 (with arts. 44, 45, Sch. 14)
- C17
Pt. 4 modified (5.6.2026) by The Dogger Bank South East and West Offshore Wind Farms Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/577), arts. 1, 35 (with arts. 40, 41, Sch. 15)
Notes on Chapter 1
Modifications
- C1
Pt. 4 Ch. 1 modified (15.8.2013) by The North Blyth Biomass Power Station Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1873), arts. 1, 27 (with art. 30)
- C2
Pt. 4 Ch. 1 modified (6.8.2014) by The Rampion Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/1873), arts. 1, 11, Sch. 13 Pt. 2 Sch. 14 Pts. 2 (with arts. 12, 13, Pt. 2 para. 6, Pt. 3 para. 5, Pt. 4 para. 4, Pt. 5 para. 4, Sch. 12 paras. 19)
- C3
Pt. 4 excluded (11.3.2015) by The Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/318), arts. 1, 8(6) (with arts. 40, 41, Pt. 2 para. 4(2), Pt. 2 para. 4(3), Pt. 2 para. 19, Pt. 4 para. 3, Pt. 4 para. 4, Pt. 4 para. 16, Sch. 12 paras. 4, 9(2), 10)
- C4
Pt. 4 excluded (26.8.2015) by The Dogger Bank Teesside A and B Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1592), arts. 1, 8(7) (with arts. 40, 41)
- C6
Pt. 4 modified (22.1.2021) by The Hornsea Three Offshore Wind Farm Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/1656), arts. 1, 31 (with arts. 40, 41, Sch. 9 Pt. 5 para. 18)
- C9
Pt. 4 modified (28.4.2025) by The Rampion 2 Offshore Wind Farm Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/468), arts. 1, 39 (with arts. 47, 48, Sch. 10)