- Asked by: Campbell Martin, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 22 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government about the impact of closing the Hunterston nuclear power station following the commencement of decommissioning in 2011.
Answer
The Executive has regular discussions with Her Majesty's Government and the energy industry on a wide range of matters. The Hunterston power station comprises Hunterston A, owned by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd, and Hunterston B, owned by British Energy (BE). Hunterston A ceased power production in 1990 and is already in the process of decommissioning. Hunterston B is still operating and I understand that BE has not set a date for decommissioning to commence.
- Asked by: Campbell Martin, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 22 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any discussions with Her Majesty's Government about any potential for developing the current Hunterston nuclear power station site in Ayrshire as a centre of excellence in the generation of energy from renewable sources and what the conclusion was of any such discussions.
Answer
No such plans have been presented to the Executive.
- Asked by: Campbell Martin, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 23 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mary Mulligan on 30 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what legislation, guidelines or doctrines apply to the proximity of wind farms to communities and what the source is of any such legislation, guidelines or doctrines.
Answer
National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 6: Renewable Energy Developments highlights the importance of wind farm proposals satisfactorily addressing the potential disturbance to residential and local amenity before planning permission is granted. No prescriptive distances are given since likely impacts will vary from proposal to proposal depending on the siting, layout and size of wind farms in relation to local land form and landscape characteristics.
- Asked by: Campbell Martin, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 18 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would normally expect (a) the Crown Estate, (b) Scottish Natural Heritage, (c) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and (d) North Ayrshire Council to notify it of plans such as those being proposed by Lakeland Marine Farms Ltd to establish three cod farms off the north coast of the Isle of Arran and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.
Answer
With any proposals which are likely to have a significant effect on the environment, due to their nature, size or location, the Crown Estate is obliged to consult the Executive and the other organisations referred to under the terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Fish Farming in Marine Waters) Regulations 1999.
- Asked by: Campbell Martin, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 16 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive why there has been no public consultation in respect of Lakeland Marine Farms Ltd's application for three cod farms off the north coast of the Isle of Arran, given that the application was made two years ago, and whether it is normal and acceptable for this to be the case.
Answer
Developers are encouraged to share their plans with interested parties at all stages in the process. The cases in question are only at the pre-application stage where the applicant seeks the views of the relevant statutory consultees about the issues that are likely to arise and the need for and scope of an Environmental Impact Assessment.It is only after formal application has been made that proposals must be published for consultation.
- Asked by: Campbell Martin, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 16 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received about plans by Lakeland Marine Farms Ltd to establish three cod farms off the north coast of the Isle of Arran and when it first received any such information.
Answer
The Executive first became aware of these proposals when invited by the Crown Estate, in December 2002, to comment as part of a screening and scoping exercise under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Fish Farming in Marine Waters) Regulations 1999.
- Asked by: Campbell Martin, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 16 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether fish farmers are permitted to use the chemical formalin and, if so, how many discharge consents have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in relation to (a) salmon, (b) trout and (c) cod farms.
Answer
Formalin is permitted subject to consent for its subsequent discharge to the water environment. In the past five years, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued approximately 360 consents for salmon or trout farms in fresh water and one for a cod farm.
- Asked by: Campbell Martin, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 16 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received information about any estimates that, in order to produce 2,000 tonnes of farmed cod, 8,000 tonnes of wild fish would be required as food and what assessment it has made of the consequent impact of dumping 6,000 tonnes of excrement on the seabed off the north coast of the Isle of Arran, with particular regard to the proposals of Lakeland Marine Farms Ltd.
Answer
The type of food, the feeding plans, including estimated feed conversion rates, are contained within the environmental data submitted in support of the proposals. Discharges are a matter for Scottish Environment Protection Agency to assess.
- Asked by: Campbell Martin, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 16 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether residents of the Isle of Arran should be consulted before any extension is made to the existing fish farm in Lamlash Bay and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.
Answer
Following submission of an application, details would be advertised in the local press and interested parties may thereafter submit comments to the local authority.
- Asked by: Campbell Martin, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 16 June 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact on the tourism economy on the Isle of Arran would be of the creation of an industrial fish-farming development comprising 10 cages of nets with a circumference of 100 m and a depth of 15 m.
Answer
Local authorities, in this case North Ayrshire Council, have regard to the possible impact of fish farm proposals on tourism within their area when framing their recommendation as to whether development consent should be granted. Scottish Natural Heritage plays a complementary role by taking into account the proximity and potential impact of proposed developments on wildlife, habitats and landscape issues.
