Stronger interest in marine aggregates
The Crown Estate confirms areas selected for 2021/22 marine aggregate tender round
THE Crown Estate today [29 September] announced the provisional results of its 2021/22 marine aggregates tender round, which closed at the beginning of January.
Following a bid assessment process undertaken by The Crown Estate, 12 areas of seabed have been selected as potentially suitable for the extraction of marine aggregates, all of which lie within English waters. This is an increase from eight areas selected in the 2018/19 tender round, reflecting the highest level of market interest for over a decade.
All 12 areas remain subject to the outcome of a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) process, which is likely to be concluded in early 2023, following which The Crown Estate would offer successful bidders initial six-year exploration and option agreements. Successful bidders will also be required to obtain statutory permission in the form of a Marine Licence from the regulator (the Marine Management Organisation) prior to any extraction taking place.
Marine aggregates constitute a critical component in the supply of building materials, and currently supply around 25% of the sand and gravel used across England and Wales. In London, they meet around 50% of primary aggregate demand.
Resources from the seabed are currently contributing to important projects around the country, such as Hinkley Point C nuclear power station and HS2, as well as coastal-protection schemes, eg between Mablethorpe and Skegness, in Lincolnshire.
Nick Everington, portfolio manager for marine minerals at The Crown Estate, commented: ‘As managers of the seabed around England, Northern Ireland and Wales, we recognise the responsibility we have as the custodian of marine sand and gravel resources and work closely with industry to develop best practice in the sector.
‘We have seen an increase in interest from industry in this latest tender round, against a backdrop of growing constraints in the extraction of aggregate from land-based sources. This tender round will pave the way for continued access to a crucial component in the building supply chain.’
