Chamber and committees

The proposed reforms are about making the consideration and determination process more efficient, not making it easier for projects to get consent or to reduce the overall quality of decision-making in the consenting process.

Through the consultation, Scottish Government is keen to understand what further support mechanisms, and practical measures, could be explored within a collaborative framework to reduce the time needed to provide consultation responses.

NatureScot are a key stakeholder in the consenting process.

The ‘Verity House Agreement’ and the ‘New Deal for Business’ have set out how the Scottish Government intends to work collaboratively with local authorities and others to deliver a just transition to net zero.

The reform process launched by this consultation creates an opportunity to re-set the expectations on the bodies providing essential support to the application process, taking account of their views, suggestions and their specific circumstances.

Historic Environment Scotland are a key stakeholder in the consenting process.

The ‘Verity House Agreement’ and the ‘New Deal for Business’ have set out how the Scottish Government intends to work collaboratively with local authorities and others to deliver a just transition to net zero.

The reform process launched by this consultation creates an opportunity to re-set the expectations on the bodies providing essential support to the application process, taking account of their views, suggestions and their specific circumstances.

This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I have asked their Chief Executive, Adrian Gillespie, to contact you directly with a response.

Applications relating to the construction and/or operation of a generating station which may require section 36 consent, must be considered on a case-by-case basis in line with any applicable legislation, which includes the Electricity Act 1989, and in some cases, the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017. The benefits and impacts of any proposal, such as they are material to an application, are particular to each case.

Scottish Ministers will continue to consider each proposal on a case-by-case basis, following review of the application information, consultation responses and representations made by members of the public.

A decision on Berwick Bank will be taken by Ministers in due course. We cannot comment on a live application. We are aware of the importance of projects being able to apply for Contract for Difference (CfD) Rounds and will take this timing into account in the decision making process, where possible to do so.

The Energy Consents Unit continually assess how the application process can be made more efficient and effective. The proposed reforms have been identified through these efforts as ways in which the process could be streamlined and modernised.

Resourcing requirements for the Energy Consents Unit are kept under continued review. The unit has recently increased its staffing resource in response to increased application volumes.