Question reference: S6W-00944
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 21 June 2021
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 21 July 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to address the concerns of coastal communities regarding the (a) potential increase in damage to the marine environment, and (b) lack of public consultation, prior to, and as a result of, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development and Use Classes) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020.
Answer
A screening report in accordance with the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 was undertaken. This outlined that there were no significant environmental effects likely to result from this amendment Order. Consultation took place with local planning authorities and Strategic Environmental Assessment consultees, including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Nature Scot and Historic Scotland. Permitted development rights do not allow for increases in biomass, that process is regulated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Increases in fish farm biomass require an application to be submitted by the operator to vary the CAR licence. As part of the determination undertaken by SEPA the application would be advertised for consultation.