REFORMS to energy planning rules aimed at accelerating new clean power developments have been unveiled by the Scottish and UK governments.
The Scottish Government has welcomed Labour’s announcement that they are “modernising outdated bureaucratic processes” to make it easier to develop new green energy projects.
Acting Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said that the reforms – which are reserved to Westminster – would “help support Scotland realise our clean power ambitions”.
The plans, which will be put out to consultation, aim to tackle delays to projects like building onshore wind farms and laying power lines.
The associated red tape with those projects mean it can take up to four years to approve schemes under legislation passed by Westminster 35 years ago, according to the UK Government.
Labour hope to create new standardised processes for on and offshore developments to get the views of local communities before submitting planning applications.
This will, they hope, improve the “quality and speed of applications” and create new powers for the Scottish Government to reject applications which do not meet requirements.
The UK Government also hopes to tidy up the planning appeals process by introducing set criteria on which developments can be challenged as well as bringing in a new 6-week time limit in which objections can be raised.
Currently, challenges to large onshore projects must be brought by judicial review within three months, which can cause delays.
The UK Government has said it will scrap a measure which requires that a public inquiry is automatically triggered if planning authorities object to new energy infrastructure.
These inquiries take an average of 18 months and have cost the Scottish Government £1.9 million since 2021.
A new system will see inquiries held “where necessary” with specialist reporters will have “decision making powers” on a “case-by-case basis”.
The Scottish Government will also be given new powers to revoke, suspend or vary permissions given to energy infrastructure projects, allowing developers to make the necessary changes without having to restart the application process.
Elsewhere, Westminster will give the Scottish Government the ability to charge developers a fee if they enter into a wayleave agreement with private landowners.
Wayleave agreements are used to facilitate the laying of power cables or erection of pylons and see developers pay landowners a fee for access.
The UK Government said its proposed reforms were already in place in England and Wales and should help the Scottish Government deal with an “expected” increase in applications for such projects.
Martin, the acting Scottish Energy Secretary, said: “These long-awaited UK legislative reforms will help support Scotland realise our clean power ambitions, while providing investors with confidence that a more robust and efficient process is being applied.
“This will in turn support our net zero ambitions, enable economic growth and ensure our communities have an enhanced opportunity to be heard.”
UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks added: “Together with the Scottish Government, we are modernising outdated bureaucratic processes to make sure Scotland is firmly open for business as we build the UK’s clean energy future.
“This will help to accelerate new clean, homegrown energy – taking us a step closer to energy independence and protecting billpayers from the rollercoaster of volatile fossil fuel markets for good.”
Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said he hoped the reforms could be a “big step” towards ensuring that green energy projects were “not being held back or delayed by needless hurdles”.
He added: “However, far more change is needed, including the investment that will allow public and community ownership of more energy infrastructure, so that the public gets more of the benefit.”
