The requirement in the UK to site nuclear power stations in coastal loca­tions can have an environmental impact on marine processes. Paragraph 4.4.1 of the draft NPS recognises this and provides that ‘the development and construction of new coastal and fluvial defences and possible marine landing jetties/docks could affect coastal processes, hydrodynamics and sediment transport processes at coastal and estuarine sites. These impacts could lead to localised or more widespread coastal erosion or accretion. There could also be changes to offshore features such as submerged banks and ridges and marine ecology.’ Applicants will be expected to identify, and develop, appropriate mitigation measures to address the impacts on marine biodiversity and coastal geomorphology in their EIA.