Crown Estate
UK statutory corporation managing Crown lands and offshore seabed; Scotland received equivalent devolution under Scotland Act 2016.
On 19 May 2026, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth named control of the Crown Estate in Wales among six constitutional demands to the Senedd, seeking for Wales the seabed powers Scotland gained in 2016.
Last refreshed: 7 October 2026 · Appears in 2 active topics
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UK Local Elections 2026Background
The Crown Estate is a UK statutory corporation that manages Crown lands, property and the offshore seabed. It manages these assets on behalf of the Crown rather than as the monarch's private estate, and leasing the seabed makes it a landlord for offshore energy projects.
That seabed role ties it to devolution politics. Scotland took control of its equivalent assets under section 36 of the Scotland Act 2016, so the Crown Estate's REMIT now covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In Wales, Plaid Cymru's minority government wants the same transfer. Rhun ap Iorwerth listed it among six constitutional demands on 19 May 2026, and floating offshore wind in the Celtic SEA now gives the Welsh seabed a commercial value. Any transfer would need legislation at Westminster.
Wales wants its Crown Estate assets
On 19 May, Rhun ap Iorwerth put the Crown Estate on a list of six constitutional demands, alongside justice and policing, rail, water, Social Security and a new funding formula. For the Crown Estate, the demand concerns WHO would manage its Welsh assets, including the offshore seabed, and receive the revenue from them.
Scotland's equivalent assets were transferred under section 36 of the Scotland Act 2016; a Welsh transfer would need a Wales Act or a statutory instrument. Floating offshore wind in the Celtic SEA has given the Welsh case a commercial basis it lacked when Wales had no seabed leasing market. The Welsh Government's Programme for Government on 22 September set six different, domestic priorities.