Seòmar agus comataidhean

This application hasnot yet been passed to the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA)to make arrangements for a public local inquiry. Partiesto an inquiryError! Bookmark not defined. are expected to meet their owncosts. DPEA, as part of the Scottish Government, will meet the cost of the reporterallocated to hear the arguments, together with the administration costs of settingup the inquiry including the hire of the venue and newspaper advertisement of theinquiry arrangements.

Scottish PlanningPolicy (SPP) 6 Renewable Energy states that there is potential for communities to develop their own localprojects for local benefits but “community renewable schemes” is not specificallydefined. The use of the term by planning authorities is a matter for them.

If there isappropriate justification, licences can be issued for shooting geese outwiththe open season. Any change to the shooting season would need to be justifiedon the basis of evidence and would need to be compatible with the requirementsof the EU Wild Birds Directive. Scottish Natural Heritage have agreed toundertake a population assessment of the Western Isles which will provide anessential input to considering whether changes to the season or to othermanagement approaches are necessary or appropriate.

LIFE+ is managed directlyby the European Commission under the terms of the EU LIFE+ Regulation. The Commissionhas recently published on its website near-final drafts of forms and guidance notesfor the use of applicants.

The Scottish Executiveis using networks of interested groups to disseminate information and promote dialogueamong likely collaborators in advance of the Commission’s formal call for bids whichis expected to be in mid-late September. Nature conservation will be an importantLIFE+ topic in Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage has agreed to take a leadingrole, including facilitating the development of a possible bid for the machair.

We are also lookingat creation of a single portal for LIFE+ applicants, supporting them from the earliestideas through to final consideration by the Commission.

I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-2997 on 5 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

Information is notheld by parliamentary constituency, but by main postcode area.

The centralheating programme was introduced in September 2001 and was managed by Eaga Partnershipuntil September 2006. In that time Eaga installed 1,117 central heating systemsin the HS postcode area.

I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

Information is notheld by parliamentary constituency, but by main postcode area.

The Programme ManagingAgent (Scottish Gas) has indicated that, in the HS postcode area, 15 central heatingsystems have been installed since October 2006 until the end of July 2007.

I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

Information is notheld by parliamentary constituency, but by main postcode area.

The programmemanaging agent (Scottish Gas) has indicated that, in the HS postcode area 133 householdershave been waiting longer than two months following their initial application tothe central heating programme.

There is uncertaintyabout how much carbon dioxide will be released from peat in response to it beingdisturbed by, for example, the construction of a road or a wind farm, particularlythe long-term effects. For this reason the Scottish Government intends to fund aresearch project to improve our knowledge in this area and, more specifically, toreview and revise the way carbon “payback” times for wind farms are currently calculatedusing a methodology published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in 2000. The ScottEnvironment Protection Agency and SNH will be working with us on this research project.It is planned that revised guidelines will be published and available by the endof 2007.

In terms of the proposeddevelopment at Barvas Moor, the developer submitted an addendum (in December 2006)which provided details on the carbon balance associated with construction (includingroad building) on peat. In accordance with the relevant legislative and planningobligations, Scottish ministers will consider all material issues when determiningsection 36 consent applications in Scotland.

Rural communitygroups will be able to access support through the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-13 which the Executive hassubmitted to Brussels. Before any of the available funds can bespent, the programme needs to be approved by the European Commission. Approvalis expected later this year.

The programme containsa specific measure, worth £32 million over seven years, to help provideleisure, recreation, sporting, catering and other rural community services andfacilities, including village halls. Arrangements for applying for such supportunder a Rural Development Contract will be publishedlater this year.

There will alsobe new opportunities for rural community groups to benefit from LEADER. Some £41 million has been earmarked over the sevenyear programme to support service provision, including village halls and othercommunity.