Capital value. Figures available in
notes 2 and
13
of Notes to the financial statements
Turnover by activity. Figures available
in notes 2 and
13
of Notes to the financial statements
Turnover. Figures available in notes 2 and
13
of Notes to the financial statements
New reserves of marine aggregates have
been made available.
We have supported Scottish salmon with
new awards for the industry.
Felixstowe Port which may see future
development.
Wave energy test device.
River Hamble. On the River Hamble,
where Hampshire County Council manage the moorings on our behalf,
we have been investing in new pilings and pontoons. The new piles
and pontoons have contributed to the improved regulation and
navigation of the river, and provide a greater range of mooring
facilities, a move that has been welcolmed by many of the river's
users.Marine Estate – Managing our resources
Covering almost the entire seabed out to the 12 nautical mile
territorial limit, over 55% of the UK’s foreshore and the beds of
tidal rivers and estuaries, the marine estate is one of the more
varied and unusual parts of The Crown Estate. Our in-house team and
the managing agents we work with around the UK, have excellent
knowledge and understanding of the marine environment and how to
balance commercial operations, with a commitment to good
environmental practices.
In 2005/06, the marine estate had a gross revenue contribution of £34.1 million, a rise of 2% on the previous year, which is a satisfactory performance given some of the constraints faced during the year by the marine aggregates sector, one of our largest revenue sources. There were delays to two developments, which had an impact on revenue and on the capital value of the marine estate, which marginally decreased by 0.9% to £297 million. However, three “Government Views” granted in April 2005, will enable new reserves of marine aggregates to be developed. This year, the Government is looking to introduce new regulations for the industry formalising Environmental Impact Assessments and the Habitats Directive in accordance with EU Directives.
We have continued to work with the marine renewable energy sector to progress a number of demonstration projects to help them move towards commercial scale developments. Demonstration projects have included wave energy on Orkney and a tidal scheme at Strangford Loch. There are now four offshore windfarm sites operational around the UK and development progress has been made on another 20 sites. Whilst the industry is still at an early stage of development, the rental income we have received from offshore windfarms this year, has been above expectations, reflecting improved site performance.
On the coastal estate, work has been progressing on a number of major projects around the country. Significant potential development activity lies ahead at a number of ports, including Bathside, Felixstowe and Shell Haven, which are likely to involve Crown Estate land. Other port and marina developments are being considered in Bognor Regis, Southampton and Pembroke. We are working with the local planning authorities and developers to bring these schemes forward, but all are at a very early stage and will be subject to further scrutiny of their economic and environmental potential. Financial performance on the coastal estate satisfactory, with revenue up 5.8% on 2004/05.
A new lease has been granted for a Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) landing facility at Milford Haven. It seems likely that there will be requirements for LNG storage around the coast and we are already working with the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) and developers to help with the identification of potential storage sites. Seabed storage for carbon dioxide (CO2) is also an area subject to exploration but this, as well as LNG storage, presents a number of technological and environmental challenges. Both proposals are at a very early stage and will be subject to much consideration by government and industry before significant progress can be made.
We were instrumental in the establishment of a new Seabed User and Developer Group, which acts as a forum for different sectors of marine industry to come together to exchange views and share ideas. This group will be of increasing importance as a source of information and feedback for government in the consultation about the proposed Marine Bill which the Government launched early in 2006.
In Scotland, two new initiatives have been launched for the aquaculture industry. A new Scottish Salmon Award Scheme initiated by The Crown Estate and sponsored by industry representatives seeks to recognise and promote good practice within aquaculture, not only in terms of economic success, but excellent environmental standards and entrepreneurial initiative. We believe the Scottish salmon industry should be proud of its excellent record in these areas and we hope that these awards will generate greater recognition of industry standards. In September, we set up an independent panel of experts to examine the way that aquaculture rents are calculated and to make recommendations as to how they can be changed to make them fairer, simpler and more attuned to the current market. The review is scheduled to report back in 2006, but the move has been welcomed by the aquaculture industry and government as being responsive to the needs and views of our customers.
In 2005/06, the marine estate had a gross revenue contribution of £34.1 million, a rise of 2% on the previous year, which is a satisfactory performance given some of the constraints faced during the year by the marine aggregates sector, one of our largest revenue sources. There were delays to two developments, which had an impact on revenue and on the capital value of the marine estate, which marginally decreased by 0.9% to £297 million. However, three “Government Views” granted in April 2005, will enable new reserves of marine aggregates to be developed. This year, the Government is looking to introduce new regulations for the industry formalising Environmental Impact Assessments and the Habitats Directive in accordance with EU Directives.
We have continued to work with the marine renewable energy sector to progress a number of demonstration projects to help them move towards commercial scale developments. Demonstration projects have included wave energy on Orkney and a tidal scheme at Strangford Loch. There are now four offshore windfarm sites operational around the UK and development progress has been made on another 20 sites. Whilst the industry is still at an early stage of development, the rental income we have received from offshore windfarms this year, has been above expectations, reflecting improved site performance.
On the coastal estate, work has been progressing on a number of major projects around the country. Significant potential development activity lies ahead at a number of ports, including Bathside, Felixstowe and Shell Haven, which are likely to involve Crown Estate land. Other port and marina developments are being considered in Bognor Regis, Southampton and Pembroke. We are working with the local planning authorities and developers to bring these schemes forward, but all are at a very early stage and will be subject to further scrutiny of their economic and environmental potential. Financial performance on the coastal estate satisfactory, with revenue up 5.8% on 2004/05.
A new lease has been granted for a Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) landing facility at Milford Haven. It seems likely that there will be requirements for LNG storage around the coast and we are already working with the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) and developers to help with the identification of potential storage sites. Seabed storage for carbon dioxide (CO2) is also an area subject to exploration but this, as well as LNG storage, presents a number of technological and environmental challenges. Both proposals are at a very early stage and will be subject to much consideration by government and industry before significant progress can be made.
We were instrumental in the establishment of a new Seabed User and Developer Group, which acts as a forum for different sectors of marine industry to come together to exchange views and share ideas. This group will be of increasing importance as a source of information and feedback for government in the consultation about the proposed Marine Bill which the Government launched early in 2006.
In Scotland, two new initiatives have been launched for the aquaculture industry. A new Scottish Salmon Award Scheme initiated by The Crown Estate and sponsored by industry representatives seeks to recognise and promote good practice within aquaculture, not only in terms of economic success, but excellent environmental standards and entrepreneurial initiative. We believe the Scottish salmon industry should be proud of its excellent record in these areas and we hope that these awards will generate greater recognition of industry standards. In September, we set up an independent panel of experts to examine the way that aquaculture rents are calculated and to make recommendations as to how they can be changed to make them fairer, simpler and more attuned to the current market. The review is scheduled to report back in 2006, but the move has been welcomed by the aquaculture industry and government as being responsive to the needs and views of our customers.