- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 25 September 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 20 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how many decisions to refuse applications for onshore wind development with a capacity of less than 50 megawatts have been overturned by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division.
Answer
The number of decisions to refuse applications for onshore wind developments*, with a capacity of less than 50 megawatts, which have been overturned (appeal allowed) by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division is set out in the table below.
The number of decisions to refuse applications for onshore wind development which have been upheld (appeal dismissed) by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division are also provided as a point of comparison.
| Single Turbine | Windfarm (multiple turbines) | Total |
Appeals Allowed | 78 | 84 | 162 |
Appeals Dismissed | 75 | 112 | 187 |
Decisions are required to be made in line with the development plan for the area and on the planning merits of each case . Planning approvals by reporters make up a small percentage of permissions granted each year. In the last year planning authorities determined 24,983** planning applications granting planning permission in 93.5% of cases.
* figures shown cover the period between 2002 and 26 September 2023
** Planning applications referred to cover a wide range of matters and are not restricted to wind farm proposal applications
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 25 September 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 9 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what the total value of community benefit payments paid to local communities by onshore renewable developers has been in each year since 2007, broken down by local authority area.
Answer
The Register of Community Benefit, administered by Local Energy Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, indicates that, since 2010, over £198 million in community benefit from onshore renewable projects has been committed to communities, including over £25 million in the 12 months. The register can be accessed here: https://localenergy.scot/community-benefits-register/ .
The Register relies on developers and communities voluntarily submitting data. It is not exhaustive and does not provide a full picture of community benefit payments across Scotland. The Register should therefore be seen as a guide to community benefit provisions across Scotland.
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 25 September 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 9 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of anticipated community benefit payments have been successfully made to the affected communities in each year since 2007, broken down by local authority area.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold information centrally on the percentage of anticipated community benefit payments made to communities from renewable energy projects, broken down by local authority area.
The Scottish Government’s Register of Community Benefit, administered by Local Energy Scotland, shows commitments from operational renewable energy projects and can be accessed here: https://localenergy.scot/community-benefits-register/
The Register relies on developers and communities voluntarily submitting data. It is not exhaustive and does not provide a full picture of community benefit payments across Scotland. The Register should therefore be seen as a guide to community benefit provisions across Scotland.
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 September 2023
-
Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 4 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the provision of
health services across the Highlands and Islands region meets the needs of
local communities.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 4 October 2023
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 22 September 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 27 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure transparency around the data collection measures within its proposed Agriculture Bill.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on 13 September 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 22 September 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 27 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how it has factored the role of young people into its proposed Agriculture Bill.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on13 September 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 22 September 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 27 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of concerns raised in the consultation on the proposed Agriculture Bill, what its position is on whether its proposals would lead to a reduction in jobs.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on13 September 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 September 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 27 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the concerns reportedly raised during its consultation on the proposed Agriculture Bill, that some farmers would be reluctant to share their data under the legislation.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on 13 September 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 September 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 27 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how its proposed Agriculture Bill will encourage young people to (a) stay in the farming sector and (b) see farming and agriculture as a potential career.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on 13 September 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 September 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 27 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to amend its proposals for the planned Agriculture Bill to provide greater support for farming families.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on 15 September 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .