Marine licensing low risk activities (band 1)
The range of activities which require a marine licence is broad, from very large complex works to smaller, low risk works.
Low risk activities are called band 1 activities.
Licences for these activities can be issued for a maximum duration of 12 months. If your work will take longer than 12 months, you will need to apply for a band 2 licence instead.
If the work has a total cost of over £1 million, you will need to apply for a band 3 licence.
Eligible activities
The activities listed below are intended as a guide.
Contact marinelicensing@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk for further advice if you are unsure whether your activity is classed as band 1.
Construction
- Repairing or replacing bolts, flaps, valves or decking on a pier or pontoon
- Installing ladders at any building or structure in the sea
- Installing scaffolding or access towers to maintain coastal structures
- Replacing concrete or render on a coastal surface
- Carrying out minor maintenance of coastal structures and equipment, within the existing boundaries of the structures being maintained
Removals
- Removing marine growth and guano from a building or structure in the sea
- Sand or grit blasting a marine structure
- Removing construction, demolition or disrepair debris from the sea or coast using a vehicle or vessel
- Removing litter from the sea or coast using a vehicle or vessel, including litter collected by hand
- Drilling boreholes
- Collecting marine sediment (grab) samples
Deposits
- Depositing and removing posts used to mark channels, shallow water areas, outfalls and groynes
- Depositing and removing marker buoys
- Replacing a single marine pile, using non-percussive piling methodology
Beach management activities
These include:
- Beach re-profiling – moving beach material cross-shore up or down the beach
- Beach recycling – moving beach material along the beach from areas of accretion to areas of erosion within the beach or associated sediment system
- Replacing or returning wind-blown sand to the beach, where that sand originated on the beach
- Clearing beach material in and around outfalls to aid drainage
You will need to maintain the existing beach profile while carrying out your activity. This means not introducing new material from sources that are not connected with the sediment system of the beach you are working on.
If you need to add beach material from other sources (known as beach replenishment) or change the profile of the beach, then this is no longer a band 1 activity and you will need a different licence. Contact marinelicensing@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk for further advice.
Exemptions
Some activities that are marine licensable may qualify as exempt and will not require a licence. These are known as exemptions.
You may still need to notify us about your activity, or gain approval, even if it is exempt.
Contact marinelicensing@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk if you are unsure.
Fees and application process
Applying for a band 1 licence costs £600.
Submit your band 1 application at least two months before you want to begin the work.
We aim to make a decision within six weeks of receiving a complete application and the fee.
Other permissions you might need
As well as applying for a band 1 marine licence, you might need other permissions from us, including:
These must be in place before you begin the work.
You may also need permissions from other authorities, for example, a local harbour authority, landowner consent or planning permission.
How to apply
Find out what information you need to prepare to submit an application to us.