LONDON, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- An area of the North Sea has been chosen as the first region off England's coast to be subject to a marine planning system, authorities say.
The first area extends 125 miles off the country's east coast, and the marine plan aims to subject ocean projects to the same level of planning approval required for efforts on land, the BBC reported Thursday.
The zone will be the first of 10 eventually forming a complete marine planning system around England.
Marine activities including wind farms, oil and gas exploration, cable laying, commercial shipping, fishing and recreational use, would be subject to planning approval.
"England's marine area is extremely crowded in terms of existing activities and the pressure and competition for space are going to increase," Steve Brooker, head of marine planning for the Marine Management Organization, said.
"Marine planning will enable the MMO and others to balance and integrate the vast range of competing activities and aspirations," he said.
