Crown Estate

Name and address of organisation	The Crown Estate 16 New Burlington Place, London, W1S 2HX Tel: 020 7851 5000
Main contact	Mr Neil Jacobson (Coastal)
Type of organisation	The Crown Estate is a landed agent. It is not the property of the Government, nor is it the private estate of the Sovereign. It is part of the hereditary possession of the Sovereign in right of the Crown.
Terms of reference	The Crown Estate’s primary role in the Solent is that of a major landowner. The Commissioners have a duty to maintain and enhance the capital value of the estate and the income obtained from it. This is done by leasing land or granting easements, or issuing licences. Guiding legislation: The Crown Estate Act 1961 Territorial Sea Act 1987 (land ownership) Continental Shelf Act 1965 (rights to natural resources).
Membership	There are eight Crown Estate Commissioners; appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Geographical Area	The Crown Estate is s landed estate which includes more than 250,000 acres of agricultural land, substantial blocks of property. The Marine Estate comprises approximately 55% of the foreshore and the same proportion of the beds of tidal rivers between mean high and mean low water together with virtually the entire Territorial Seabed and the right to exploit the natural resources at the Continental Shelf (excluding oil and gas). Substantial areas of the Solent are owned by the Crown Estate.
Publications	‘The South Coast Seabed Mobility Study’ (HR Wallingford). The Crown Estate and SCOPAC. ‘Stewardship in Action.’ A Crown Estate Policy Statement. ‘The Crown Estate and Moorings’ leaflet. ‘Marine Aggregate extraction and the Government View Procedure.’
Relevant projects/initiatives	South Coast Seabed Mobility Study MAFF/CEC Benthic recolonisation of Seabed following Dredging Study CIRIA stage 2 report.
Affiliations	DEFRA SCOPAC CIRIA (Construction Industry Research and Information Association) DOE/British Geological Society.