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As Planning Minister, I have had discussions with the Chief Planner and the Chief Reporter in respect of the role of Scottish Ministers as part of the decision making process for this appeal and to explain procedures. I have had no discussions with Scottish Enterprise or with the Park Authority or with representatives or consultants of the appellant. At all times, the Scottish Government is mindful of the principles in the Scottish Ministerial Code.

The Chief Planner advised the Chief Reporter in a call on 10 June 2025 that Ministers intended to recall the appeal. On 12 June 2025, the Chief Planner, the Chief Reporter and I subsequently discussed the next steps for the appeal, following the debate in the Scottish Parliament. The merits of the appeal itself were not discussed.

The Scottish Government is aware of the judgment in this case. We consider that the advice on determining planning applications contained in Planning Circular 3/2022: Development Management Procedures is consistent with the judgment.

In determining any application or appeal, it is for the planning authority, or as the case may be the Scottish Ministers, who are considering the proposed development to decide what matters are material to their consideration on a case by case basis.

It is also for the decision maker to consider what weight to give to each material consideration in determining the application. Any planning application is required to be determined in accordance with the development plan unless there are material planning considerations that individually or collectively justify a departure from the development plan.

It is expected that data relating to the average application and claim processing timescales for the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme will be published later this calendar year.

No specific target date is currently set for the publication of this data.

The Scottish Government considers that it is entirely appropriate. The Scottish Ministerial Code recognises that I am responsible for taking decisions on behalf of Scottish Ministers collectively on planning cases. In responding to questions in the Parliament on 20 May 2025, I pointed to the reporter’s earlier consideration of the appeal and explicitly noted on several occasions that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specific details of the case; and I did not do so. A decision will be made in a fair and impartial way which takes into account all relevant legal requirements and maintains the integrity of the planning process.

The UK Government has made clear that the scope of it’s inquiry into grooming gang activity is limited to England and Wales. Scottish Government officials have met with UK Government officials to discuss the UK Government’s response to Baroness Casey’s audit and underline our commitment to supporting the inquiry and engaging on any matters relevant to Scotland.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with UK Government counterparts to identify opportunities for improved collaboration to tackle harm against young people including child sexual abuse and exploitation. As part of this approach, the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise and The Minister for Community Safety and Victims will be meeting with Jess Philips MP, UK Government Minister for Safeguarding in the coming months to discuss issues related to child sexual abuse and exploitation, violence against women and girls and online safety of children and young people.

The Scottish Government is taking action with partners to address youth violence through prevention, early intervention, community engagement and punishment where necessary through the criminal justice system. We have invested over £6 million to support action to prevent violence and reduce the harm through the Violence Prevention Framework since 2023, and are providing £26 million through the latest phase of Cashback for Communities to deliver a range of diversionary and support activities for young people.

The National Relationships and Behaviour in Schools Action Plan 2024-27, sets out a range of actions which support improved behaviour and relationships in schools. On 17 June, we published new guidance to support schools on fostering a positive, inclusive and safe school environment, including the use of consequences, and on risk assessments for violent, aggressive and dangerous behaviour.

1. Supporting Pollinators and Biodiversity at Holyrood
   

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) is committed to enhancing biodiversity and supporting pollinators across the parliamentary estate.

These are the key initiatives that are currently in place or planned:

1. Biodiversity Policy and Route Map
• We have a Biodiversity Policy and Route Map. Facilities Management works with the Sustainability Team to ensure best practices are followed.
2. Monitoring and Evidence
• From 2025, we will conduct biodiversity surveys twice a year to monitor progress and guide future actions. This will help us track our efforts and make informed decisions.
3. Landscaping and Maintenance
• Our landscaping avoids pesticides and includes regular checks for invasive species. These efforts are managed through our Facilities Management contract to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
4. Pollinator-Friendly Planting
• Each year, we plant a variety of wildflowers to support pollinators. This has increased the variety and number of pollinator-friendly plants across the estate, contributing to a healthier environment.
5. Partnership and Engagement
• We work with internal teams and external organizations, including community benefit clauses in our contracts, to support biodiversity. This collaborative approach ensures a broad impact.
6. Wildlife Support Measures
• Regular bat surveys are conducted, and bird and bat boxes have been installed in suitable locations to support local wildlife.
7. Public Engagement and Education
• Information boards are placed in landscaped areas, and we provide opportunities for public engagement and education on biodiversity. This helps raise awareness and encourages community involvement.

2. Encouraging Nature Across the Parliamentary Estate
   

To further support biodiversity, we have implemented several initiatives:

1. Landscaping
• We have incorporated native species of trees, shrubs, and meadow grass. This landscaping approach helps reduce carbon footprints, manage groundwater movements, and encourage biodiversity, including bees, butterflies, insects, and birds.
2. Management Practices
• We maintain a pesticide and peat-free regime to ensure a sustainable environment.
3. The Butterfly Project/Square Metre for Butterflies
• We are working on the recovery of the Northern Brown Argus butterfly at Holyrood, contributing to the conservation of this species.
4. Biodiversity Surveys
• We conduct regular biodiversity surveys and review bird and bat boxes to ensure they are effective.
5. Beehives
• The Scottish Parliament was the first legislature in the UK to have beehives, showing our commitment to supporting pollinators. Please refer to our response under ‘c’ below for the current position relating to beehives on the parliamentary estate
6. Waste and Recycling
• We aim to be a Zero Waste Parliament, reducing our environmental impact through effective waste management practices.
7. Sustainable Procurement
• We minimise ecological impacts through sustainable procurement practices, ensuring our operations are environmentally responsible.

We are committed to tackling climate change and reducing our environmental impact. Recently, we planted fifteen new trees around the Parliament perimeter. Soft landscaping, such as trees, grasses, and shrubs, supports biodiversity and reduces groundwater movement to minimise erosion.

No pesticides, fertilisers, or peat are used onsite by our contractors.

3. Review of On-Site Beekeeping following recent changes to guidance
   

As the current beekeeping contract neared its end in early 2025, Facilities Management and Procurement reviewed the role of managed beehives on the estate, following guidance from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. This review involved engaging with stakeholders to determine the best approach. The existing contract was extended by one year to allow time for this review. A project is now underway to explore sustainable pollinator support from 2026 onwards.

Victims are not provided, in whole or in part, the criminal record of any offender in the context of a prosecution.

Prosecutors may present an accused person’s previous convictions to the court for specific purposes, including the consideration of bail and bail conditions, or in determining the most appropriate sentence. This information is obtained from Police Scotland using the accused person’s Scottish Crime Records Office (SCRO) number, which is a unique identifier used across the justice system in Scotland. This ensures that relevant information is accurately linked to the individual, regardless of any change of name or gender identity.

All public bodies in Scotland, including National Parks are required to demonstrate value for money in the discharge of their functions via compliance with the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM) and Accountable Officer (AO) Framework. The use/publication of cost-benefit analysis as a tools to support and inform spending decisions is an operational matter for individual organisations to consider with the overarching financial framework of governance and accountability set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM).