Understanding how communities can participate in offshore-wind decisions, with the MMO

Delivered by University of Exeter researchers for the Marine Management Organisation, this project systematically reviewed the evidence base on public participation in a case study of offshore wind decision-making in England, with the aim of providing the best available evidence on participation to support more inclusive, trusted and socially sustainable marine governance. 

This six‑month project, led by Dr Pamela Buchan and funded by the MMO, explored how different marine stakeholders – from coastal communities and local organisations, to regulators, developers and environmental organisations – are engaged in the planning and delivery of offshore wind developments.   

The researchers examined how these stakeholder participate across the full life of marine development – from marine planning and seabed leasing, through project design, consultation and consent, to post-decision implementation, monitoring, operation and decommissioning.  

The review considered participation in three connected ways: the legal, regulatory and guidance framework that shapes decision-making; how developers and authorities implement participation in practice; and how people experience these processes.

“Developing an evidence base on participation in marine management will help MMO to improve our collaboration and regulation approach and, in time, outcomes. This work is the start of understanding and shaping our approach and I am very grateful that we have been benefitted from the expertise of academics, and importantly users to produce the final outputs.” (Aisling Lannin, Head of Evidence and Marine Pioneer Programme Lead, Marine Management Organisation)   

“Participation is central to marine citizenship, yet many decisions are made with little input from coastal communities or the wider public. By examining how people engage with offshore wind – a sector with relatively strong processes for engaging the public – we have highlighted new insights, research gaps, and policy implications relevant not only to offshore wind, but all marine decision-making.  

“A huge strength was this project’s ability to bring together stakeholders from across the full lifecycle of an offshore wind farm – something which rarely happens. This collaborative legacy has the potential to help break down silos and support more holistic marine governance in the future.” (Dr Pamela Buchan, Project Lead, University of Exeter)

To learn more about this work, please contact Dr Pamela Buchan.