The Blyth (Extension of Limits) Harbour Revision Order 2025
The Blyth (Extension of Limits) Harbour Revision Order 2025, enacted by the Marine Management Organisation, extends the Blyth Harbour limits to encompass Ash Barge Dock.
The order amends the Blyth Harbour Act 1986 to reflect this change, defining "Ash Barge Dock" and incorporating it into the harbour's jurisdictional boundaries.
The order also protects the rights of Trinity House and safeguards Crown interests.
It came into force on June 2nd, 2025, and applies to England and Wales.
Arguments For
Improved Harbour Management: The extension allows for better management and control of the expanded harbour area, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Economic Benefits: The inclusion of Ash Barge Dock could facilitate increased port activity, potentially boosting the local economy through trade and employment opportunities.
Legal Compliance: The order adheres to the procedures outlined in the Harbours Act 1964, ensuring legal validity and transparency.
Precedent and Historical Basis: The order follows established legal processes for harbour revisions based on similar past orders, providing a clear legal framework for future actions.
Arguments Against
Environmental Concerns: Expansion may have unanticipated negative consequences for the local ecosystem, requiring careful environmental monitoring and mitigation strategies.
Impact on Stakeholders: Potential disruption or conflicts may arise with stakeholders affected by the extended harbor boundaries, requiring robust engagement and resolution mechanisms.
Alternative Approaches: Explorations of alternative solutions for addressing the needs of Blyth Harbour without the full-scale expansion might have been considered to limit potential harm and costs.
Unforeseen Consequences: Unforeseen effects on navigation, water quality, or other factors may arise from the extension, demanding ongoing evaluation and adjustments.
PART 1
Citation, commencement and extent 1.
(1)
This Order may be cited as the Blyth (Extension of Limits) Harbour Revision Order 2025.
(2)
This Order comes into force on 2nd June 2025.
(3)
The Blyth Harbour Acts and Orders 1858 to 2015 and this Order may together be cited as the Blyth Harbour Acts and Orders 1858 to 2025.
(4)
This Order extends to England and Wales.
This part establishes the order's official title, effective date, and geographical scope.
The order is officially named the Blyth (Extension of Limits) Harbour Revision Order 2025 and takes effect on June 2nd, 2025.
Its legal jurisdiction covers England and Wales.
The combined body of existing harbour legislation is updated to include this new order.
Interpretation 2.
In this Order—
“the 1986 Act” means the Blyth Harbour Act 1986;
“Ash Barge Dock” means the area which is shown edged red on the Ash Barge Dock Limits Plan;
“the Ash Barge Dock Limits Plan” means the plan prepared in duplicate, signed on behalf of the Marine Management Organisation and marked “Signed Ash Barge Dock Limits Plan referred to in The Blyth (Extension of Limits) Harbour Revision Order 2025”, one copy of which is deposited at the offices of the Marine Management Organisation and one copy at the offices of the Commissioners, and it is also available electronically on the Commissioners website;
“the Commissioners” means the Blyth Harbour Commissioners; and
“Trinity House” means the Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond.
This section defines key terms used throughout the order.
It clarifies the meaning of "the 1986 Act" (Blyth Harbour Act 1986), "Ash Barge Dock" (a specific area), "the Ash Barge Dock Limits Plan" (a map defining the dock's boundaries, available both physically and online), "the Commissioners" (Blyth Harbour Commissioners), and "Trinity House" (Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond).
PART 2
Extension of limits of harbour and modification of the 1986 Act 3.
(1)
The limits of the harbour as defined in section 11 (limits of jurisdiction) of the 1986 Act are extended to include Ash Barge Dock, as shown on the Ash Barge Dock Limits Plan.
(2)
The 1986 Act is accordingly amended as follows.
(3)
In section 2 (interpretation) after the first line, insert—
““Ash Barge Dock” has the same meaning as in The Blyth (Extension of Limits) Harbour Revision Order 2025;
“the Ash Barge Dock Limits Plan” has the same meaning as in The Blyth (Extension of Limits) Harbour Revision Order 2025;”.
(4)
In section 11 (limits of jurisdiction)—
(a)
in paragraph (b) omit “and”, and
(b)
after paragraph (b) insert—
“(ba) Ash Barge Dock; and”.
This part details the core change: the expansion of the Blyth Harbour's boundaries.
It explicitly extends the harbour limits to incorporate Ash Barge Dock, as depicted on the specified plan.
The Blyth Harbour Act 1986 is amended to legally reflect this expansion, adding definitions for "Ash Barge Dock" and "the Ash Barge Dock Limits Plan" and incorporating Ash Barge Dock into the harbour's jurisdictional limits.
PART 3
Saving for Trinity House 4.
This Order must not prejudice or derogate from any of the rights, duties or privileges of Trinity House.
Crown Rights 5.
(1)
Nothing in this Order—
(a)
prejudicially affects any estate, right, power, privilege, authority or exemption of the Crown, or
(b)
authorises the Commissioners to take, use, enter upon or in any manner interfere with any land or interests in land or any rights of whatsoever description (including any part of the shore or bed of the sea or any river, channel, creek, bay or estuary) belonging to—
(i)
His Majesty in right of the Crown and under the management of the Crown Estate Commissioner, without the consent in writing of those Commissioners, or
(ii)
a government department held in trust for His Majesty for the purposes of a government department, or without the consent in writing of that government department.
(2)
A consent under paragraph (1)(b) may be given unconditionally or subject to such conditions and upon such terms as may be considered necessary or appropriate.
This part includes provisions safeguarding the rights and interests of external parties.
The order explicitly states that it does not infringe upon the rights of Trinity House.
Additionally, to protect Crown land and resources, it prohibits actions by the Commissioners that might interfere with Crown property or government department land without explicit written consent from the relevant authorities.
Consent can be granted with or without conditions as deemed necessary.