Electricity Infrastructure Consenting in Scotland – Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

This consultation sets out a package of proposals for reform which span the consenting journey. The purpose of the consultation is to test these proposals with a wide group of stakeholders ranging from communities hosting infrastructure to applicants for consent.

Solar Energy Scotland welcomes the direction of travel presented in the Scottish Governments consultation on ‘Energy Infrastructure Consenting in Scotland’. The ambition from Government to deliver new energy infrastructure more efficiently and through a more streamlined process is warmly welcomed.
We strongly support the Government’s focus on making the process both robust and efficient, with an emphasis on the introduction of statutory requirements for the pre-application stage to expedite decision times and reforming the lengthy public inquiry process. A test of these reforms will be how much the planning process is accelerated for project determinations, given the gravity of the climate crisis and the need to deliver on targets.

In our response we outline recommendations that Scottish Government should consider:
• Aligning policy with the NPF4
• Introducing clearer timescales for determinations and pre-application consultations as these elements are essential to achieving faster decision-making outlined in the proposals, (Government could consider adopting appropriate elements of the NSIP regime in this regard)
• Any pre-application requirements should be proportionate to the scale, significance and impact of the project
• Scottish Government must look to introduce agreed time limits for the full planning process (not just pre-application)
• Increasing resourcing throughout the planning system; including but not limited to Local Planning Authorities, Energy Consent Unit, Statutory consultees)

For detailed information, download our full response below.

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