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I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31605 on 4 December 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at /chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31602 on 4 December 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at /chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-31576 on 4 December 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at /chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

There have been no recent discussions between Scottish Government and VisitScotland regarding the impact of large-scale energy projects on tourism.

In 2008, Scottish Government published “Economic impacts of wind farms on Scottish tourism: research findings”.

The Scottish Government is committed to early and meaningful community consultation. It is important that communities and stakeholders are appropriately engaged throughout the pre application and application journey.

As noted in the answer provided for S6W-31574 on 4 December 2024, resourcing requirements for the Energy Consents Unit are kept under review, with a view to addressing the expected intake of applications.

Introducing fees for pre-application activities will allow the Energy Consents Unit to be adequately resourced to administer any increases in pre-application activities.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at /chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Scottish Forestry are a key stakeholder in the consenting process.

The ‘Verity House Agreement’ and the ‘New Deal for Business’ have set out how the Scottish Government intends to work collaboratively with local authorities and others to deliver a just transition to net zero.

The reform process launched by this consultation creates an opportunity to re-set the expectations on the bodies providing essential support to the application process, taking account of their views, suggestions and their specific circumstances.

Scottish Government officials have worked closely with UK Government counterparts to demonstrate the challenges that are faced by all stakeholders in the process.

We are seeking views and any further evidence from stakeholders on the proposals contained in the consultation and these fill inform the decision on the next steps.

Through the consultation, Scottish Government is keen to understand what further support mechanisms, and practical measures, could be explored within a collaborative framework to reduce the time needed to provide consultation responses.

Through the consultation, Scottish Government is keen to understand what further support mechanisms, and practical measures, could be explored within a collaborative framework to reduce the time needed to provide consultation responses.

The Energy Consents Unit continually assess how the application process can be made more efficient and effective. The proposed reforms have been identified through these efforts as ways in which the process could be streamlined and modernised.