Planning for Boating Facilities 

Recreational boating and planning policy

The RYA aims to provide planning authorities with supporting information and encourages the inclusion of policies that safeguard existing and promote the sustainable future development of recreational boating facilities. Much of this work is carried out in close cooperation with our partners at the British Marine Federation (BMF) who safeguard the interests of the marine industry.

Together, the RYA and BMF have produced a document titled "Planning Guide for Boating Facilities" which aims to encourage planning authorities to adapt and increase recreational boating facilities across the UK's inland and coastal waters on a planned and sustainable basis. A short version of this document has recently been published "Planning at a Glance" which is also available to download (see right).

Facilities planning - advice to clubs
We also provide clubs and training centres with planning advice, including how to prepare for obtaining the relevant consents when developing facilities, whether new or alterations to existing ones. Visit the Clubs section of our website by clicking the link to the right of this page called "Facilities Planning".

Further advice can be found by clicking on "Planning for Sport" and "Sport England's guide to making a planning application" to the right of this page.

Keeping up to date
Recent changes to the planning system through the implementation of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill are outlined in the "Briefing on Planning Changes" available to the right of this page.

Please note that more recent changes have since come about and the RYA is currently working on updating its guidance.

RYA's Planning and Environmental Strategy 

"Boating For Life" is the RYA's Planning and Environmental Strategy for sustainable boating (see right).

The purpose of this strategy and the RYA's involvement in planning and environmental management is to contribute to the sustainable use of coastal and inland waters.

This document can be used to inform those involved with preparing and reviewing marine, coastal and inland water plans and management strategies that may affect recreational boating.