Campbell Martin

25 Jun 2003 · Written Question

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 · Lewis Macdonald: The Executive has regular discussions with Her Majesty's Government and the energy industry on a wide range of matters. <P>The Hunterston power station comprises Hunterston A, owned by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd, and Hunterston B, owned by British Energy (BE).…

25 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is an acceptable solution for dealing with existing nuclear waste; if not, whether such a solution is likely to be found before commencement of the decommissioning process at the Hunterston nuclear power station in Ayrshire, and what the reasons are for the position on the …

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Executive's policy is that radioactive waste should be disposed of where a disposal route exists, and where no disposal route exists wastes should be safely stored.<P>The Hunterston power station comprises Hunterston A, owned by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd,…

23 Jun 2003 · Written Question

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 · Mary Mulligan: <I>National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 6: Renewable Energy Developments</I> highlights the importance of wind farm proposals satisfactorily addressing the potential disturbance to residential and local amenity before planning permission is granted. No p…

3 Jun 2003 · Written Question

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 · Ross Finnie: 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…

2 Jun 2003 · Written Question

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 · Allan Wilson: Following submission of an application, details would be advertised in the local press and interested parties may thereafter submit comments to the local authority.

2 Jun 2003 · Written Question

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…

Answer · Allan Wilson: 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.

2 Jun 2003 · Written Question

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 · Allan Wilson: 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 pla…

2 Jun 2003 · Written Question

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 c…

Answer · Allan Wilson: 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 Impac…

2 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any involvement in the last two years of (a) Scottish Natural Heritage, (b) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and (c) North Ayrshire Council in relation to plans by Lakeland Marine Farms Ltd to establish three cod farms off the north coast of the Isle of Ar…

Answer · Allan Wilson: All three organisations are statutory consultees under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Fish Farming in Marine Waters) Regulations and were invited to comment on the proposals during the screening and scoping exercise initiated by the Crown Estate in Dece…

2 Jun 2003 · Written Question

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 · Allan Wilson: 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…

2 Jun 2003 · Written Question

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 · Allan Wilson: 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.

20 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports a derogation for the Isle of Arran in respect of the European Union regulations that would require that fallen livestock must be shipped off the island and, if so, whether it will pursue such a derogation.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The Executive issued a consultation document on 19&nbsp;March inviting views on those areas of Scotland which might be classified as "remote" to benefit from a derogation under the EU Animal By-Products Regulation No.&nbsp;1774/2002.<P>Arran was not part of t…

15 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to create a bypass around Dalry in Ayrshire and, if so, at what stage any such plans are and what the timetable is until any bypass becomes operational.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: There are no plans in the current programme to build a bypass around Dalry. While the Executive recognises the importance of the A737 to the Ayrshire economy, a bypass for Dalry would need to compete for future funding against the demands for other major trun…

15 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop a traffic management system to alleviate peak-time traffic congestion in the town centre of Dalry in Ayrshire.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive contributed to a traffic study carried out by North Ayrshire Council in Dalry town centre. The council has been asked to take forward the necessary traffic modelling work on behalf of the Executive for suggested improvements involving t…

15 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities should work with the police to "design out" crime, including measures such as the closure of footpaths and lanes that have become the location of loitering and anti-social behaviour where there is public support for such closures.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The Executive wrote to Chief Executives of local councils in January to alert them to the support it is giving to the national police initiative "Secured by Design", and asking them to lend their support to this very worthwhile initiative. <P>The Executive is…

15 May 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports seabed regeneration, enabling the natural regeneration of marine life on the seabed in specifically identified areas.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive is committed to the sustainable management of Scotland's marine environment. A number of initiatives are already under way to help deliver that objective, which will support seabed regeneration. These include the development of a Scotti…