The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S3W-39943

Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 25 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 11 March 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is legislation or guidance on the replanting of like-for-like commercial woodland for parts of the national forestry estate that are allocated for wind energy technology projects.

There is no specific legislation to that effect.

Policy direction on woodland removal, including compensatory planting, is set out in the Scottish Government''s Policy on Control of Woodland Removal (June 2008), a key aim of which is to minimise inappropriate loss of woodland in Scotland. Implementation guidance for Forestry Commission Scotland staff is available on their website. The consolidated Scottish Planning Policy now makes reference to the policy as does the second National Planning Framework.

Where compensatory planting is required, the default position is for this planting to be of equivalent woodland area, on appropriate site types and with at least the equivalent, woodland-related net public benefits, this including timber production and carbon sequestration.

Forest Enterprise Scotland will seek to maintain the productive potential of the national forest estate by ensuring that potential timber production lost through removal of woodland for wind farms will be replaced by the creation of new productive woodlands.

Question reference: S3W-39952

Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 25 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 11 March 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the reported view of the timber industry that the national forest estate provides significant economic wealth for communities in terms of direct employment and support to timber processing companies, and what measures it is taking to ensure that competing land uses are balanced in the long term.

The Scottish Government recognises the valuable contribution that the national forest estate makes to the delivery of social, economic and environmental outcomes, including the provision of employment and support for timber processing companies. Forestry is worth around £700 million to the Scottish economy every year and Scotland''s forests support over 30,000 jobs, mostly in rural areas.

The Scottish Government also recognises the need to seek an appropriate mixture of land uses in order to develop a diverse and resilient rural economy. This government is the first to embark upon production of a Land Use Strategy for Scotland. The strategy, which will shortly be laid before the Scottish Parliament, sets out proposals and policies for the long-term sustainable use of Scotland''s land resource and will provide a framework within which discussions aimed at determining the optimum mix of land uses in Scotland can take place.

Question reference: S3W-39942

Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 25 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 11 March 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive how many hectares of commercial woodland have been planted in the national forestry estate in each year since 1999, also broken down by local authority area.

The amount of hectares planted in the national forest estate is listed in the following tables:

Local Authority Area	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Aberdeen City	11	10	0	11	9	0	0	6	46	0	7
Aberdeenshire	382	388	381	457	467	461	397	426	271	335	295
Angus	30	54	35	52	40	42	19	85	7	13	22
Argyll and Bute	759	789	997	968	841	846	1,025	995	1,011	876	1,020
Clackmannanshire	0	1	0	12	0	2	0	0	0	0	0
Dumfries and Galloway	1,133	1,382	1,151	1,294	1,352	1,259	1,322	973	1,217	1,489	796
East Ayrshire	2	54	92	17	17	188	160	31	195	160	70
East Dunbartonshire	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	22	7	0
Falkirk	21	2	0	29	19	0	0	0	2	0	0
Fife	16	5	10	49	22	14	1	0	37	57	80
Highland	495	598	561	771	535	592	625	698	686	683	553
Inverclyde	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	50
Midlothian	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Moray	114	126	336	226	193	228	80	96	122	63	96
North Ayrshire	43	39	42	34	37	45	45	57	76	69	21
North Lanarkshire	16	8	61	39	29	87	99	5	28	54	28
Perth and Kinross	54	115	135	188	126	174	145	109	89	85	75
Renfrewshire	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	66
Scottish Borders	233	356	305	356	373	384	391	253	478	426	509
South Ayrshire	133	285	303	189	246	300	177	254	324	111	385
South Lanarkshire	0	24	22	21	13	17	5	33	173	33	176
Stirling	197	133	227	197	204	293	269	111	222	264	205
West Lothian	12	9	0	42	89	0	57	35	70	35	35
Total	3,650	4,382	4,659	4,952	4,611	4,933	4,817	4,167	5,077	4,760	4,489

Note:

* Planting year runs from 1 October until 30 September the following year.

*2010 planting figures.

Forest Districts	Hectares
North Highland	308
Lochaber	129
Inverness, Ross and Skye	291
Moray and Aberdeenshire	245
Tay	192
Cowal and Trossachs	222
West Argyll	607
Scottish Lowlands	316
Dumfries and Borders	378
Galloway	827
Total	3,515

Note: *Figures are only available at this moment in time in by Forest District boundaries.

Question reference: S3W-39957

Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 25 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 11 March 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that Forestry Commission Scotland retains and develops its research capability in order to support the protection and enhancement of Scotland’s wildlife, historic environment, landscape and public access.

The majority of the research capability required to support the development of forestry policy in Scotland is provided by the Forestry Commission''s Forest Research Agency. By the agreement of forestry ministers in England, Scotland and Wales, the Research Agency is a GB-wide organisation which is funded by the Westminster Government. FC Scotland is a member of the Research Strategy Management Board which determines research priorities. Through Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish ministers will continue to press for a programme of research which meets Scotland''s needs, while retaining the ability to fund research directly, to supplement the programme delivered by the Forest Research Agency.

Question reference: S3W-39946

Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 25 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 11 March 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive how (a) many hectares have been sold and (b) much money has been raised through Forestry Commission Scotland’s reprovisioning exercise since 2009.

Question reference: S3W-39947

Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 25 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 11 March 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive where woodland sold through Forestry Commission Scotland’s reprovisioning exercise has been located since 2009 and what the date was of completion of each sale.

Details of the location, date and woodland sold since 2009, through Forestry Commission Scotland''s repositioning programme is shown in the following table.

Forest District	Property Name	Date of Completion
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Auchernach Excambion (Glen Nochty Woodland)	14 May 2009
Dumfries and Borders	Nether Linkins (Bentudor)	13 October 2009
Dumfries and Borders	Nether Linkins (Barcloy)	13 October 2009
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Fochabers Bypass (Appropriation Order)	16 October 2009
Cowal and Trossachs	Ledcreich	22 October 2009
Cowal and Trossachs	Acharossan	10 November 2009
Scottish Lowlands	Stallashaw Moss	12 November 2009
Lochaber	Corrour	20 November 2009
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Gartly, Clinkstone	3 December 2009
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Gartly, Clinkstone	3 December 2009
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Gartly, Clinkstone	3 December 2009
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Auchmull, Lot 1 (Kinnoir Outliers)	7 December 2009
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Barlatch Wood (Lot 2, Rothiemay)	26 January 2010
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Bog Wood (Lot 3, Rothiemay)	26 January 2010
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Gartly, Clinkstone	3 December 2009
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Auchmull, Lot 1 (Kinnoir Outliers)	7 December 2009
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Barlatch Wood (Lot 2, Rothiemay)	26 January 2010
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Bog Wood (Lot 3, Rothiemay)	26 January 2010
Cowal and Trossachs	Auchtubhmhor	2 February 2010
North Highland	Ardchronie	19 February 2010
North Highland	Loubcroy	9 March 2010
Tay	Smyrna	16 March 2010
Inverness, Ross and Skye	Inverinate and Dorusduain	19 March 2010
North Highland	Camster	19 March 2010
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Burnfield (Lot 1, Rothiemay)	26 March 2010
Tay	Harran (Glenhead)	26 March 2010
West Argyll	Land at West Loch Caravan Park, Tarbert	26 March 2009
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Clintlaw	30 March 2010
Inverness, Ross and Skye	Durnamuck	16 October 2009
Dumfries and Borders	Affordable Housing Site at Ae Village	29 March 2010
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Land at Gaudiedale	31 March 2010
Cowal and Trossachs	Acharossan 3 (KCFC)	26 March 2010
Tay	Port an Eilean House, Tummel - Water Supply	6 April 2009
Inverness, Ross and Skye	West End Croft, Lochview (Clawback)	14 April 2009
Galloway	Greenfield Farmhouse and Land	20 April 2009
North Highland	Land at Bumble Bee Cottage, Embo	24 April 2009
Lochaber	Land Adjoining Torgulbin House	11 May 2009
Lochaber	Land Adjoining Am Bealach Farmhouse	1 June 2009
Cowal and Trossachs	Water Mains Pipe - Loch Eck - Rashfield	8 June 2009
Scottish Lowlands	High Boreland Farm (Reconveyance)	22 June 2009
West Argyll	Afon Orchy - Water Supply Servitude	13 July 2009
North Highland	Land at Inver House, Culrain	14 July 2009
Inverness, Ross and Skye	Land at Broadford (HIE)	23 July 2009
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Pipelines to Roseisle Distillery (Diageo)	24 July 2009
Scottish Lowlands	East Grange - Lots 2, 3 and 4	29 July 2009
Scottish Lowlands	Leigh Letters Service Reservoir, Lamlash, Arran	21 August 2009
West Argyll	Land adjoining Harbour Cottage, Crinan	24 August 2009
Galloway	Land at Deughside, Dundeugh (Boundary Encroachment)	1 September 2009
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Land at Fochabers (Scottish Water)	15 October 2009
Scottish Lowlands	Crowhill, Auchlochan	16 October 2009
Tay	East Freuchies - Water Supply Servitude	27 October 2009
Lochaber	Access Servitude at Invergarry	30 October 2009
Inverness, Ross and Skye	Land at Feshiebridge	2 November 2009
Tay	Ladywell Farm boundary adjustment	2 November 2009
Cowal and Trossachs	Capercailzie Cottage, Strathyre	13 November 2009
Inverness, Ross and Skye	Land at Kerrow Burn, Access Servitude	23 November 2009
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Land at Binhill, Cairney	23 November 2009
West Argyll	Land for Additional Car Parking for Mull Rugby Club	3 December 2009
Inverness, Ross and Skye	Land at Viewfield Rd, Portree (Aros Centre)	23 December 2009
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Access Servitude Castlehill	29 December 2009
Scottish Lowlands	Birkhill, Auchlochan	30 December 2009
West Argyll	Land at Three Bridges	30 December 2009
Scottish Lowlands	Boghill, Auchlochan	26 January 2010
Tay	Land at Easter Dalguise, (Excambion)	27 January 2010
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Land at Old Merdrum	28 January 2010
Scottish Lowlands	Westoun	12 February 2010
Lochaber	House Site at Croft No 2, Bohuntin	8 March 2010
North Highland	Sibster Farmhouse	11 March 2010
Cowal and Trossachs	Matheson Lane, Innellan	18 March 2010
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Land at Badgers Rest, North Acquitie	29 March 2010
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Wood of Balchers	1 April 2010
West Argyll	Three Bridges	26 April 2010
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Kinnoir (Lot 3-Lodgewood)	27 April 2010
West Argyll	Balinoe Plantation	5 May 2010
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Kinnoir (Lot 3-Bogenspro and Fourman Hill))	26 May 2010
Cowal and Trossachs	Clachaig	9 July 2010
Tay	Camusericht	12 July 2010
West Argyll	Glen Forsa	19 July 2010
Dumfries and Borders	Land at Burnfoot, Westerhall	17 September 2010
Scottish Lowlands	Devilla Sawmill Site	12 October 2010
West Argyll	Auch (South)	18 October 2010
West Argyll	Mungosdail	20 October 2010
North Highland	Ledmore	13 January 2011
North Highland	Rumster Plantation (LLCCDC)	1 February 2011
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Balfour Wood	25 May 2010
North Highland	Dyke Plantation (Tranche 1)	2 March 2011
Lochaber	Stronmilchan Common Grazings	20 July 2010
North Highland	Land at Quebec Bridge	10 April 2010
North Highland	Land at Gravity Bridge	27 April 2010
Inverness, Ross and Skye	Land at Woodside Cottage, Stromeferry	5 May 2010
Inverness, Ross and Skye	Mullans Wood, Tore (Standard Security Discharge)	5 May 2010
Inverness, Ross and Skye	Aigas Excambion	7 May 2010
Scottish Lowlands	Johnshill, (Auchlochan)	19 May 2010
Moray and Aberdeenshire	Cloddymoss Classroom	10 June 2010
Tay	Land at Inch Cottage, Dunkeld	14 June 2010
Scottish Lowlands	Hillside, (Auchlochan)	16 June 2010
Tay	Drumlinn and Dalvatten Cottages - Excambion (Water and Access Serv)	30 June 2010
West Argyll	Site for Pumping Station, Ford	9 July 2010
North Highland	Land at Grudie Bridge, Achany	23 August 2010
Inverness, Ross and Skye	Balcladaich Sawmill	6 October 2010
Lochaber	3 Morven Crescent	8 October 2010
Moray and Aberdeenshire	A96 Newtongarry Climbing Lane	10 November 2010
Cowal and Trossachs	Land at Argyll Sawmill, Strachur	10 November 2010
West Argyll	NWMCWC - Access Servitude	17 November 2010
Inverness, Ross and Skye	Beauly-Denny O/H Power Line	22 November 2010
Cowal and Trossachs	Donich Park, Lochgoilhead (Servitude)	12 January 2011
Scottish Lowlands	Knowehead Cottage, (Boundary Adjustment)	12 January 2011
North Highland	3 Blackwater Cottages (Servitude)	22 February 2011

Question reference: S3W-39955

Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 25 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 11 March 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects Scottish Water to complete (a) an environmental and (b) a habitats regulations assessment of plans to develop renewable energy projects on its estate.

Question reference: S3W-39956

Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 25 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 11 March 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects Forestry Commission Scotland to complete (a) an environmental and (b) a habitats regulations assessment of plans to develop renewable energy projects on its estate.

Question reference: S3W-39951

Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 25 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 11 March 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is legislation or guidance on (a) it and (b) its agencies maintaining a commercially viable national forest estate that sustains direct employment and timber processing companies.

The Forestry Act requires the Forestry Commission to promote the interests of forestry, the development of afforestation and the production and supply of timber and other forest products in Scotland. It is also required to endeavour to achieve a reasonable balance between the development of afforestation, the management of forests and the production and supply of timber and the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty and the conservation of flora, fauna and geological or physiographical features of special interest.

The Scottish Forestry Strategy sets out the Scottish Government''s approach to the development of the forestry sector. One of the key outcomes sought is the development of innovative and competitive businesses which contribute to the growth of the Scottish economy. The National Forest Estate Strategic Plan, which was produced following a public consultation exercise, covers the period 2009-13 and sets out how Forest Enterprise Scotland will seek to balance the delivery of its social, economic and environmental objectives. This includes a commitment to maintain annual timber production from the estate at a sustainable level of between 3.3 and 3.5 million cubic metres per year. This guarantee of a stable and predictable timber supply helps to maintain confidence and sustain jobs, in the timber harvesting, haulage and processing sectors.

Question reference: S3W-39949

Asked by: Jim Hume, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 25 February 2011
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 11 March 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the funds raised through renewable projects in the national forest estate has been reinvested in purchasing commercially viable land.

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