Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 02 October 2013
02 Oct 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
There are two further processes that should give the assurances that the member seeks. The first is the construction environmental management plan—the CEMP—and the second involves the marine licence being approved, which is still to be done. No work can take place either on the river or onshore until the marine licence is approved.
The project was included in the second national planning framework—NPF2—and I remain of the view that the proposal meets the criteria outlined at that time. The site has rail infrastructure, which can be brought into use if the demand is forthcoming. I also recognise that there has been on-going local objection to the proposal. However, that objection and many others were considered at a lengthy public local inquiry.
In proposing to make the order, I have taken into account the majority of the recommendations from the inquiry and some additional changes following the further period of consultation. The changes include mitigation measures and safeguards, including a requirement that the works cannot commence until the CEMP, which I have mentioned, is refined and approved by the Scottish ministers following further consultation with local communities and environmental bodies. I can assure the Parliament that that will not be deleted from the draft considered by the reporters.
I acknowledge that further assessment of the impacts of the proposed dredging is required. I consider that, in line with the reporters’ recommendations and in keeping with habitats regulations, that can best be carried out using the expertise of Marine Scotland in considering an application for a marine licence, without which the project cannot proceed, as I have said.
I believe that the project will strengthen our commitment to a diverse and market-led ports industry and provide our manufacturers and importers with choice in moving their goods to markets. I commend the order to members.
The project was included in the second national planning framework—NPF2—and I remain of the view that the proposal meets the criteria outlined at that time. The site has rail infrastructure, which can be brought into use if the demand is forthcoming. I also recognise that there has been on-going local objection to the proposal. However, that objection and many others were considered at a lengthy public local inquiry.
In proposing to make the order, I have taken into account the majority of the recommendations from the inquiry and some additional changes following the further period of consultation. The changes include mitigation measures and safeguards, including a requirement that the works cannot commence until the CEMP, which I have mentioned, is refined and approved by the Scottish ministers following further consultation with local communities and environmental bodies. I can assure the Parliament that that will not be deleted from the draft considered by the reporters.
I acknowledge that further assessment of the impacts of the proposed dredging is required. I consider that, in line with the reporters’ recommendations and in keeping with habitats regulations, that can best be carried out using the expertise of Marine Scotland in considering an application for a marine licence, without which the project cannot proceed, as I have said.
I believe that the project will strengthen our commitment to a diverse and market-led ports industry and provide our manufacturers and importers with choice in moving their goods to markets. I commend the order to members.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motions. I ask Joe FitzPatrick to move motion S4M-07877, on approval of a Scottish statuto...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Alex Johnstone to speak against the motion.17:12
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Last Wednesday morning, the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee took evidence and subsequently voted on the Rosyth International Container Termin...
Willie Rennie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD)
LD
The Government initially included mitigation measures in article 17(6), but I am puzzled and disconcerted that they have been removed with only a promise fro...
Alex Johnstone
Con
I consider those factors to be important, and they should have been appropriately taken into account. It has to be said that the mitigation of the environmen...
Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green)
Green
Will the member take an intervention?
Alex Johnstone
Con
Yes.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I remind the member that he has only three minutes.
Alison Johnstone
Green
The member raised the issue of roads being the only way to access the proposed facility. RSPB Scotland said that, if the order is approved by the affirmative...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Johnstone, you have under a minute.
Alex Johnstone
Con
I certainly acknowledge the member’s concern.Members around the chamber have expressed significant concerns about the clarity of the answers given on some of...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call on Keith Brown to respond.17:15
The Minister for Transport and Veterans (Keith Brown)
SNP
I thank you, Presiding Officer, for the chance to speak on the order, which I believe offers benefits for Scotland and the local area by providing for the de...
Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I seek assurances from the minister today that, if the order is passed, the range of community and environmental concerns, as well as the concern that the EI...
Keith Brown
SNP
There are two further processes that should give the assurances that the member seeks. The first is the construction environmental management plan—the CEMP—a...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The question on the motion will be put at decision time.The next item of business is consideration of a further Parliamentary Bureau motion. I ask Joe FitzPa...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The question on the motion will be put at decision time.