- Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 August 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 30 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering any proposals to effect changes in respect of consents under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 in relation to on-shore wind farms.
Answer
No such proposals are being considered at present. Our procedures are, however, kept under review and if improvements were needed in the way that applications for consent are dealt with, we would consult widely on these matters before any changes were implemented.
- Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 August 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 30 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation and representations it has had with the Meteorological Office with regard to the radar station located on the site of the proposed wind farm at Whitelees Forest.
Answer
Defence Estates submitted a representation on behalf of the Meteorological Office in response to the consultation on the application by ScottishPower to build a wind farm at Whitelee Forest. The Meteorological Office's concerns are about the possible impact of the proposed wind farm on the operations of the Corse Hill weather radar. Officials from my department have subsequently twice met officials from the Meteorological Office to discuss these concerns and will maintain contact with them as long as this matter remains unresolved.
- Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 August 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 30 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of ScottishPower's renewables obligation will be met by the proposed wind farm at Whitelees Forest.
Answer
The way in which ScottishPower meets its obligation under the Renewables Obligation Scotland is a commercial matter for that company.
- Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 August 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 30 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive how much electricity generation has been cut at Cocken'ie and Longannet power stations as a direct consequence of generation from wind power.
Answer
It is not possible to calculate this precisely. Coal fired generation is flexible, and varies in response to the demand on the electricity network. The Renewables Obligations Scotland sets specific targets for renewables which can be assumed to displace generation (and hence emissions) from coal fired plant.
- Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 August 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 30 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-25833 by Lewis Macdonald on 27 May 2002, whether it will publish the results of the consultation exercise relating to the proposed wind farm at Whitelees Forest.
Answer
The issues raised in the course of the consultation are still under consideration. When the matter is determined the reasons for that determination will be published.
- Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 August 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 30 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what the effect on ScottishPower's renewables obligation will be if work on the proposed wind farm at Whitelees Forest does not proceed as currently programmed.
Answer
The obligation on ScottishPower will not be affected. It would remain for ScottishPower to decide how it meets that obligation.
- Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 July 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Andy Kerr on 30 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive how many senior civil service appointments in the (a) Scottish Office and (b) Scottish Administration in each of the last five years were exceptions, approved by the Civil Service Commissioners, to appointment on merit on the basis of a fair and open competition, broken down by (i) secondments, (ii) re-appointments, (iii) appointments without competition of up to two years, (iv) any other short-term appointments made without open competition, (v) extension of fixed-term contracts and (vi) transfers from other public services.
Answer
Over the past five years only one exception has been recorded in 1998-99 under (i) above.
- Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 August 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 30 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-25833 by Lewis Macdonald on 27 May 2002, whether it will institute a public inquiry to examine issues surrounding the planning application for a proposed wind farm at Whitelees Forest.
Answer
This matter is still under consideration and whether it will be referred to a public local inquiry will be determined in due course.
- Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 August 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 30 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation has taken place with the European Commission with regard to the proposed wind farm at Whitelees Forest and the effects on the six bird species which Scottish Power has confirmed are present on Eaglesham Moor, given that the birds' priority habitat or species is defined in Article 1 of the European Habitats Directive and are listed under EC directive 79/409/EEC as needing special protection.
Answer
There is no requirement on the Scottish Executive to consult the European Commission on this issue since the area is not designated as being of national or international importance for bird species or habitats. Scottish Natural Heritage was among the bodies consulted about the environmental impact of the proposed wind farm and has welcomed the developer's proposal to put in place a Habitat Management Plan with the aim of enhancing the existing peatland habitat across the moor, which they believe should contribute towards the offsetting of any local adverse impact.
- Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 July 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Malcolm Chisholm on 28 August 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in respect of ambulance services in Lanarkshire given that, in the first nine days of July 2002, 25% of shifts in that area were not covered.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-27866.
