Question reference: S6W-15385
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 24 February 2023
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Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 7 March 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the status will be of legally protected sites for nature, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), that fall wholly or partially within the outer 45km boundaries of Scotland’s two Green Freeports, the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and Forth Green Freeport.
Answer
Green Freeports in Scotland will be required to the comply with existing environmental legislation and regulations. The legal protection of sites for nature, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), will not be changed as consequence of the decision to give Green Freeport status to all or part of any site.