Legislation handing powers over the seabed to Scotland’s three island councils – Shetland, Orkney and Comhairle and Eilean Siar (the Western Isles) – is due to be considered by the Scottish Parliament later this year, probably in May.

The local authorities are particularly keen that power over the seabed is transferred to coastal communities from the Crown Estate. That body currently awards licences for offshore renewable power project leases.