Question reference: S3W-05636
- Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 23 October 2007
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Current status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 5 November 2007
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that, while Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency provide evidence as public agencies to public inquiries, there is no statutory requirement for these agencies to appear at hearings during the appeals process.
Answer
There is no statutoryrequirement for Scottish Natural Heritage or the Scottish Environment ProtectionAgency to appear at a public local inquiry or hearing. It is a matter for thesebodies to decide whether they wish to do so, or whether they are satisfied thatany evidence they wish to put forward can be adequately covered by written submissions.It is open to a reporter from the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appealsto request additional information from these bodies or to require parties who theydeem necessary, to attend. Scottish ministers are satisfied with this process.