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There is no application process for an area seeking recognition as a National Scenic Area (NSA).

NSAs were first designated by Scottish Ministers in 1980, the areas having been identified by the Countryside Commission for Scotland (Scotland’s Scenic Heritage, 1978). In December 2010 under the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006, NSAs were given a statutory basis. Section 50 of the act sets out the criteria for designation:

(a) whether the area is of outstanding natural beauty,

(b) the amenity of the area, including (i) whether it is of historical, cultural or environmental importance; and (ii) the nature of any buildings or other structures within it, and

(c) any flora, fauna or physiographical features of the area, whether or not to any extent the product of human intervention in the landscape.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12954 on 20 December 2022. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx '.

Although aviation is currently reserved to the UK Government, we continue to do all we can within the powers available to support Scotland’s airports recover from the impact of Covid and grow Scotland’s international connectivity for business, tourism, exports and the wider economy.

Last month I met airlines who provided an update on how their networks are recovering from the impact of Covid and was briefed on some encouraging signs of recovery. The Scottish Government has always recognised the importance of improving Scotland’s direct international connectivity and continue to be proactive in restoring and growing our direct international connectivity. That is why our cross-Government route development team continues to work closely with Scotland’s airports and airlines globally to help restore and grow international connectivity, while not returning to previous levels of emissions. In developing our Aviation Strategy, we are considering how best to improve our approach to recognise the particular impact Covid had on airlines’ route networks and fleet plans. It remains our aspiration that Scotland should be as well connected as peer nations and regions, and recent announcements of new routes for 2023 to Atlanta with Delta Air Lines, and Calgary with WestJet, are welcome developments.

We continue to provide funding to support the operations of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL). In 2021-22 we provided HIAL with over £75 million in funding to maintain their operations. This funding means that HIAL’s airport charges are kept lower than they would otherwise be enabling the operation of commercial air services.

The Control of Entry arrangement are set out in the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009. It is the responsibility of the NHS Boards to put in place a Pharmacy Practice Committee and require NHS Boards to undertake a formal 60-day consultation with local communities who may be affected when an application is made to open a community pharmacy.

The Scottish Government and Scottish Minister are entirely independent on the Control of Entry process. The Scottish Government do not undertake any assessment on the consultations carried out in considering applications for the opening of a community pharmacy. The role of the National Appeal Panel is to consider appeals against decisions made by Pharmacy Practice Committees.

All retailers have obligations to be a return point, unless they apply for and are granted an exemption. The choice of whether to operate a reverse vending machine, or alternatively to operate a manual takeback service, is a commercial decision for individual retailers. The Scottish Government does not hold information on how many reverse vending machines there will be across Scotland or their likely locations.

I meet regularly with industry stakeholders, including trade associations, businesses and the scheme administrator, on the forthcoming deposit return scheme. This will continue whilst we prepare for go-live in August 2023.

The purchase of reverse vending machines is a matter for individual retailers. There are a number of companies who will manufacture reverse vending machines to the specifications provided by Circularity Scotland Ltd.

Policy 27 (d) represents a strengthening and restructuring of the policy consulted on in Draft NPF4. In the Draft NPF4 (Policy 26(a)), we consulted on restricting drive-throughs in out of town locations and, in response to what consultees told us and through our broader strategy of transitioning to net zero, the policy has been restructured in a more tightly worded policy in the Revised Draft. The changes maintain the policy intent, while reflecting responses to the consultation. Given this and the extent of engagement, consultation and scrutiny already undertaken, and the fact that we are engaging further, and will continue to do so as we enter the delivery phase of NPF4, no further consultation was required.

As I set out in my answer to question S6W-12387, the Scottish Government has honoured the commitment I made during my visit on 3 November 2021 to provide financial support to Dumfries and Galloway Council. This included £25,000 of capital support, which represents half of the Council’s additional expenditure, in relation to the reinstatement of both the pedestrian river footbridges.

The Scottish Government is committed to investing in Changing Places Toilets over this parliamentary term, in order to increase the number of these facilities across the South Scotland Region and country and to support mobile Changing Places Toilets to allow people easier access to events and outdoor venues.

Funding for the construction of Changing Places Toilets has not yet been allocated. We are progressing the first phase of work in order to design an investment programme that ensures that the Changing Places Toilets which are built are fit for purpose. Further information about this fund will be available next year. We have recently published our Changing Places Toilets: Planning Guide and an accompanying easy read for people who are planning to develop Changing Places Toilets now.