Question reference: S6W-26518
- Date lodged: 27 March 2024
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Current status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 15 April 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide specialist planning advice and guidance, in partnership with local authorities and electricity transmission networks, in order to meet its net zero targets through infrastructure projects.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that the planning system is better equipped to deal with current and future challenges, and supports our net zero ambitions. Work is underway to deliver the commitments from the Onshore Wind Sector Deal relating to the standardisation of relevant templates, such as Environmental Impact Assessment Reports. Similarly, a Transmission Network Short Life Working Group provided recommendations to increase and develop resources to ensure planning authorities and statutory consultees are well equipped to accelerate decisions on grid applications.