Current status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 19 August 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that animal welfare objections that are raised in planning appeals are routinely disregarded as "non-material considerations", what steps it will take to issue guidance affirming that animal welfare can constitute a legitimate material consideration in the planning system.
Further to my answer to question S6W-38874 on 11 July 2025, in which I recognised the recent Court judgement reflecting the potential for animal welfare to be a material consideration, in determining any application or appeal, it is for the planning authority, or as the case may be the Scottish Ministers (or reporters on their behalf), who are considering the proposed development to decide what matters are material to their consideration on a case by case basis. Furthermore, the weight to be attached to any specific matter raised in any individual case rests with the decision-maker.
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.