Parliamentary questions
Douglas Lumsden
1,891 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the proposed reforms to energy infrastructure consenting, what assessment it has made of how the proposed introduction of fees for pre-application activities will impact smaller developers and community-led projects.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government is committed to early and meaningful community consultation. It is important that communities and stakeholders are appropriately engaged throughout the pre application and application journey.As noted in the answer provided for S6W-315…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it can provide that the proposed reforms to electricity infrastructure consenting will lead to (a) better quality applications and (b) fewer objections.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Scottish Government officials have worked closely with UK Government counterparts to demonstrate the challenges that are faced by all stakeholders in the process.We are seeking views and any further evidence from stakeholders on the proposals contained in the…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to discuss the impact of energy infrastructure consenting reforms.
Answer · Gillian Martin: 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.
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much additional workload energy infrastructure consenting reforms will place on Scottish Forestry.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Scottish Forestry 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 t…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met Scotland Against Spin.
Answer · Gillian Martin: In my capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, I can confirm that I have not met Scotland Against Spin.
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met NatureScot to discuss the potential impact of the energy infrastructure consenting reforms.
Answer · Gillian Martin: 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.
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the proposed reforms to energy infrastructure consenting will address any risk of increased legal challenges due to perceived inadequacies in the consultation process.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The proposed reforms provide additional community and stakeholder consultation at pre application stage and do not reduce the level of consultation currently required when an application is submitted.
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources will be allocated to Transport Scotland to deal with any shortfall in capacity to process applications as a result of energy infrastructure consenting reforms.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31605 on 4 December 2024. 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-co…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much additional workload the energy infrastructure consenting reforms will place on Transport Scotland.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Transport 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 …
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much additional workload energy infrastructure consenting reforms will place on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
Answer · Gillian Martin: Scottish Environment Protection Agency 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 aut…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met Scottish Water to discuss the impact of energy infrastructure applications.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31602 on 4 December 2024. 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-co…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps will be taken to ensure that statutory consultees have the necessary resources to provide timely and thorough input if they have to deal with an increased number of applications due to the energy infrastructure consenting reforms.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Statutory consultees are key stakeholders 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…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards are in place to prevent the potential marginalisation of smaller community groups as part of the energy infrastructure consultation process.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The proposed reforms include new standardised processes for developers to share information and consult with local communities and wider stakeholders on plans for new clean energy infrastructure before submitting an application.This will help to involve commu…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met Scottish Water to discuss the impact of the energy infrastructure consenting reforms.
Answer · Gillian Martin: 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.
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources will be allocated to Historic Environment Scotland to deal with any shortfall in capacity to process applications as a result of energy infrastructure consenting reforms.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31576 on 4 December 2024. 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-co…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much additional workload it anticipates the energy infrastructure consenting reforms will place on NatureScot.
Answer · Gillian Martin: 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 deliv…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms will be in place to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed electricity infrastructure consenting reforms.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Given the range of stakeholders affected by the proposed reform to the consenting process, both governments agreed that a public consultation was essential ahead of any legislation.Designing any monitoring and evaluation mechanism at this time would be pre-em…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources will be allocated to NatureScot to deal with any shortfall in capacity to process applications as a result of energy infrastructure consenting reforms.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31576 on 4 December 2024. 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-co…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met Hill of Fare Windfarm Information Group.
Answer · Gillian Martin: In my capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, I can confirm that I have not met Hill of Fare Windfarm Information Group.
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps will be taken to ensure that the proposed electricity infrastructure consenting reforms do not disproportionately benefit larger developers at the expense of smaller ones.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Given the range of stakeholders affected by the proposed reform to the consenting process, both governments agreed that a public consultation was essential ahead of any legislation.Designing any monitoring and evaluation mechanism at this time would be pre-em…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met Historic Environment Scotland to discuss the impact of energy infrastructure applications.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31590 on 4 December 2024. 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-co…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources will be allocated to the Energy Consents Unit to manage any shortfall in capacity to process a potential increase in applications as a result of the energy infrastructure consenting reforms.
Answer · Gillian Martin: 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.
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it has that the proposed energy infrastructure consenting reforms will not lead to an increase in inappropriate energy infrastructure developments being approved.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Scottish Government officials have worked closely with UK Government counterparts to demonstrate the challenges that are faced by all stakeholders in the process.The proposals contained in the consultation are a result of the evidence gathered and set out cur…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact that the UK Government's inheritance tax changes for family farms will have on the availability of land in Scotland to build energy infrastructure.
Answer · Shona Robison: It is disappointing that there had been no prior indication of this change to Inheritance Tax or engagement with the Scottish Government given that Scotland will be hit by the proposed changes brought in by the UK Government.The Scottish Parliament recently d…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much additional workload it estimates the energy infrastructure consenting reforms will place on the Energy Consents Unit.
Answer · Gillian Martin: 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.
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much additional workload energy infrastructure consenting reforms will place on the local authorities.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Local Authorities 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 t…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met Deeside Against Pylons.
Answer · Gillian Martin: In my capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, I can confirm that I have not met Deeside Against Pylons.
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will address the reported concerns that the proposed energy infrastructure consenting reforms may prioritise speed over thorough environmental assessments.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The proposed reforms are about making the determination process more efficient, not less robust. Environmental assessment standards will remain unchanged. Scottish Ministers will continue to determine each proposal on a case-by-case basis, following review of…
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met Leylodge Against Industrialisation.
Answer · Gillian Martin: In my capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, I can confirm that I have not met Leylodge Against Industrialisation.
21 Nov 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met NatureScot to discuss any impact of energy infrastructure applications.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31576 on 4 December 2024. 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-co…