Hansard

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) SNP

It is essential that communities feel able to engage with our planning and consenting systems. The Scottish Government has recently taken steps to make it ea...

Douglas Lumsden Con

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, ...

Gillian Martin SNP

I will take that suggestion away. However, I want to make it clear that regulations relating to electricity transmission and distribution networks are reserv...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) 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.

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP

It is vital that we continue to balance the need to deliver net zero with the need to protect our natural environment, tourism and rural communities. Can the...

Gillian Martin SNP

The Scottish Government jointly commissioned the National Energy System Operator to produce the first SSEP for Great Britain. NESO is engaging with a wide ra...

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

Given that Berwick Bank has now been approved, what is the Scottish Government doing to work with the developer and local communities to reduce the project’s...

Gillian Martin SNP

Sarah Boyack mentioned a lot of things in her question and, as she has suggested, I will write to her with more detail on them. On the issue of the impact on...

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.