Abstract
This deliverable supports impact assessment and site selection by making clear the role that consenting tools and resources can play in ‘levelling up’ the knowledge and evidence bases in relation to environmental consenting across the sector.
Online consenting tools, data portals and knowledge repositories can be a useful resource for developers, regulators and their consultants across all stages of the consenting process, from site selection and scoping through to the design of post-consent monitoring plans. When used effectively, such online resources can:
- help to streamline the consenting process for wave and tidal energy developments;
- support developers (and other applicants) and their consultants in preparing up to date, proportionate and fit for purpose reports, information, and data to support licence and consent applications for wave and tidal developments; and,
- support decision makers in managing risk and uncertainty regarding key potential environmental effects relevant to wave and tidal developments.