Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 05 February 2026 [Draft]
05 Feb 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Energy Projects (Community Engagement)
My constituents are at their wits’ end. For months, the Government has refused to meet community groups that are seeing their communities trashed by pylons, battery storage and substations, but it is happy enough to meet companies such as Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. Now, we learn that the ability to submit comments to the energy consents unit by email has been stripped away. That is a cynical manipulation of the planning process and an attempt to shut down my constituents. Taking that ability away is not making the process easier, so will the cabinet secretary commit to allowing constituents to email their comments to the ECU, so that their voices can be heard?
In the same item of business
2. Douglas Lumsden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy will engage with community groups affected by new energy projects ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy (Gillian Martin)
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Douglas Lumsden
Con
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Gillian Martin
SNP
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LD
I have a number of supplementary questions. I will try to get through as many as I can, but they will need to be brief.
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Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
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Gillian Martin
SNP
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Foysol Choudhury (Lothian) (Ind)
Ind
Members of the public must now submit their views on major projects through the energy consents unit portal. However, last week, a constituent said that the ...
Gillian Martin
SNP
I thank Foysol Choudhury for bringing that to my attention. If his constituents are having issues with the mechanisms that are there, I will take that back t...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
Given that the energy consents unit has removed the email and online routes for objections, leaving postal submissions as the only option for community group...
Gillian Martin
SNP
We want to make sure that people are able to put their points of view forward. I have indicated that we have done some work with the UK Government on affordi...
Finlay Carson
Con
They are objections.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
Mr Carson, you have asked the question. Can we listen to the answer?
Gillian Martin
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer. It is only fair that I am given the chance to answer.
Finlay Carson
Con
Answer the question.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
Mr Carson.
Gillian Martin
SNP
I will write to the member. He might read that instead of not listening to me.