- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen McLeod on 17 February 2015
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made each year to the National Forest Land Scheme and how many have been approved, broken down by (a) project category, (b) tenure type and (c) land area.
Answer
Since the National Forest Land Scheme opened in 2005, there have been 55 applications approved to date covering 12,976 hectares.
A detailed breakdown of all the applications broken down by project category, tenure type and land area is shown in the following tables:
National Forest Land Scheme applications approved and sold or leased
| Name | Applicant | Purpose | NFLS category | Hectares | Financial year sold or leased |
| Dalavich, Loch Awe | West Highland Housing Association | Affordable housing | Affordable housing | 0.1 | 2006-07 Sold |
| Kilmun, Dunoon | Fyne Homes | Affordable housing | Affordable housing | 0.6 | 2006-07 Sold |
| Salen, Sunart | West Highland Housing Association | Affordable housing | Affordable housing | 0.5 | 2006-07 Sold |
| Slewdrum forest, Coulnacraig | Birse Community Trust | Community woodland | Community acquisition | 167.2 | 2006-07 Sold |
| Strathmashie forest, Laggan | Laggan Forest Trust | Forest centre and trails | Community acquisition | 18.1 | 2006-07 Sold |
| Succoth, Arrochar | Dunbritton Housing Association | Affordable housing | Affordable housing | 2.2 | 2006-07 Sold |
| West Ardhu and Langamull forest, Isle of Mull | North West Mull Community Woodland Company | Community woodland | Surplus land | 693.4 | 2007-08 Sold |
| Ford, Loch Awe | Ford Community Project Ltd | Community centre | Surplus land | 2.5 | 2007-08 Sold |
| Milehouse, Kincraig | Highland Small Communities Housing Trust | Affordable housing | Affordable housing | 5.2 | 2008-09 Sold |
| Bettyhill, Farr Bay | Highland Small Communities Housing Trust | Affordable housing | Affordable housing | 0.3 | 2008-09 Sold |
| Forest park, Burghead | Burghead Thistle Junior Football Club | Football pitch | Surplus land | 1.4 | 2008-09 Sold |
| Donich park, Lochgilphead | Dunbritton Housing Association | Affordable housing | Affordable housing | 1.5 | 2009-10 Sold |
| Ae village, near Dumfries | Loreburn Housing Association | Affordable housing | Affordable housing | 0.4 | 2009-10 Sold |
| Badluarach and Durnamuck, Gairloch | Badluarach and Durnamuck Community Woodland | Community woodland | Surplus land | 8.5 | 2009-10 Sold |
| Gaudiedale strip, Bennachie | Bennachie Access Group | Access to Bennachie | Surplus land | 0.1 | 2009-10 Sold |
| Acharossan, Tighnabruaich | Kilfinan Community Forest Company | Community woodland | Community acquisition | 125.5 | 2010-11 Sold |
| Balfour wood, Aboyne | Birse Community Trust | Community woodland | Community acquisition | 241.0 | 2010-11 Sold |
| Golticlay forest, Lybster | Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Development Company | Renewable energy scheme (wind) | Community acquisition | 39.1 | 2010-11 and 2011-12 and 2012-13 Sold |
| Dyke forest (phase 1,2and3), Strath Halladale | RSPB | Habitat restoration | Surplus land | 1,548.6 | 2011/12 Sold |
| Ardentinny walled garden, Cowal | Ardentinny Community Trust | Community gardens and visitor attraction | Surplus land | 1.4 | 2011-12 Sold |
| Broadford wood, Skye | Broadford and Strath Community Company | Community woodlands and tourist facilities | Community acquisition | 20.0 | 2011-12 Sold |
| Smithton, Inverness | Albyn Housing Association | Affordable housing | Affordable housing | 2.0 | 2011-12 Sold |
| Tormore forest, Skye | Sleat Community Trust | Community woodland | Surplus land | 441.0 | 2012-13 Sold |
| Camustorsa, Sunart | Highland Small Communities Housing Trust | Affordable housing | Affordable housing | 1.1 | 2012-13 Sold |
| Stronafian forest, Glendaruel | Glendaruel and Colintraive Community Development Trust | Community woodland and wind | Surplus land | 615.6 | 2012-13 Sold |
| Stank Glen, Callander | Callander Community Development Trust | Renewable energy scheme (hydro) | Community acquisition | 8.8 | 2013-14 Leased |
| Dalmochie, Ballater | Deeside Donside Development Group | Visitor attraction | Community acquisition | 0.5 | 2014-15 Sold |
| Garmony, Isle of Mull | Mull and Iona Community Trust | Renewable energy scheme (hydro) | Community acquisition | 0.2 | 2014-15 Leased |
| | | | Total hectares sold or leased | 3,946.8 | |
National Forest Land Scheme approved but not yet sold or leased
| Name | Applicant | Purpose | NFLS category | Hectares | Year approved |
| Achnaha, Morvern | Morvern Community Woodland Company | Community woodland | Community acquisition | 8.5 | August 2014 |
| Aigas forest, Strathglass | Aigas Community Forest | Community woodland | Surplus land | 240.0 | December 2009. Scottish Land Funding agreed December 14 |
| Balloch wood, Creetown | Creetown Initiative | Renewable energy scheme (hydro) | Community acquisition | 1.2 | April 2014 |
| Barcaldine, Loch Creran | Spotlight Musical Theatre Company | Storage facility | Surplus land | 0.1 | January 2014 |
| Brochel forest and Inverarish forest, Isle of Raasay | Raasay Development Partnership | Community woodland and hydro | Surplus land | 288.0 | October 2013 |
| Brocketsbrae, Lesmahagow | Lesmahagow Development Trust | Allotments | Community acquisition | 0.1 | January 2014 (Lease) |
| Dalavich hydro, Argyll | Dalavich Improvement Group | Renewable energy scheme (hydro) | Community acquisition | 1.0 | August 2014 (Lease) |
| Dinmurchie farm buildings, Ayrshire | Barr Community Development Company | Community craft hub | Surplus land | 0.5 | August 2014 |
| Part Forsinain and Dyke forests, Strath Halladale | North Sutherland Community Forest Trust | Community woodland and some habitat restoration | Surplus land | 566.0 | February 2010 (Lease) |
| Fourpenny plantation | The Embo Trust | Community runrig and amenity | Community acquisition | 17.0 | January 2015 |
| Glen Mallie, Loch Arkaig | Achnacarry, Bunarkaig and Clunes Group | Community woodland | Surplus land | 1,096.0 | April 2014 |
| Glen Seillisdeir forest, Isle of Mull | Ross of Mull and Iona Development Group | Community woodland | Surplus land | 758.0 | October 2013 |
| Innerleithen, near Peebles | AIMuP | Mountain bike facilities | Community acquisition | 250.0 | December 2012 (Lease) |
| Invergarry depot and woodland | Glen Garry Community Woodland Group | Community hub and woodland restoration | Surplus land | 30.0 | November 2014 |
| Kinachreachan, Loch Awe | LOCHWATCH | Community woodland | Surplus land | 2.0 | April 2014 |
| Kirkton of Maryculter woods, Kirkton of Maryculter | Maryculter Woodlands Trust | Community woodland | Surplus land | 67.0 | September 2013 |
| Kirkton wood, Lochcarron | Kirkton Woodland Group | Community woodland | Community acquisition | 92.0 | August 2011 |
| Lael forest, Ullapool | Ullapool Community Trust | Renewable energy scheme (hydro) | Community acquisition | 6.0 | October 2013 |
| Longhill wood, Aberdeenshire | Enzie Crossroads Community Woodland Assoc | Community woodland | Community acquisition | 3.0 | August 2014 |
| Rannoch Barracks | Scottish Wildlife Trust | Habitat restoration | Surplus land | 4,487.0 | November 2014 |
| Strontian old schoolhouse, Sunart | Sunart Community Company | Amenity ground | Surplus land | 0.1 | August 2014 |
| Upper Acharossan | Kilfinan Community Forest Company | Community woodland | Community acquisition reapplication | 434.0 | January 2015 |
| | | | Total hectares sold or leased | 8,347.5 | |
National Forest Land Scheme approved but withdrawn
| Name | Applicant | Purpose | NFLS category | Hectares | Financial year approved |
| Rascarrel Moss, Auchencairn | Auchencairn Community Company | Community woodland | Surplus land | 167.0 | 2008-09 |
| Fourpenny wood, Dornoch | The Embo Trust | Woodland crofts | Woodland crofts | 158.0 | 2008-09 |
| Clauchrie forest, Ae | Nith Valley LEAF Trust | Community woodland | Community acquisition | 235.0 | 2009-10 |
| Salachry forest, Craignish | Craignish Community Company | Community woodland | Community acquisition | 120.0 | 2009-10 |
| Achinchanter, Dornoch | The Embo Trust | Allotments and amenity | Community acquisition | 1.7 | 2011-12 |
| | | | Total hectares | 681.7 | |
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 February 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Fergus Ewing on 17 February 2015
To ask the Scottish Government which key stakeholders it plans to meet in advance of the launch of its public consultation on unconventional gas production.
Answer
The Scottish Government plans to engage with a range of stakeholders that are representative of the different views and opinions on unconventional oil and gas.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 February 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 February 2015
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23976 by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2015, whether capital funding provided to the National Performing Companies is ringfenced to assets owned by those organisations, or whether it can be used for assets owned by third parties and, if so, to what extent.
Answer
All capital funding provided to the National Performing Companies was for expenditure on assets which they owned, or were purchasing, or for which they were or would become responsible for under a lease.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 February 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 February 2015
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23976 by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2015, whether it will provide a breakdown of the capital allocations to the National Performing Companies by the (a) asset benefiting from the funding, (b) value of the funding and (c) year of expenditure.
Answer
From the figures set out in the answer to S4W-23976, Scottish Ballet’s expenditure was all on the Tramway building, Scottish Opera’s expenditure was all in relation to the Theatre Royal project and the Royal Scottish National Opera expenditure was all on the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
The National Theatre’s expenditure up to 2011-12 was all on their existing building at Civic House. In 2012-13 and thereafter, capital funding was spent on the planned new headquarters at Speirs Lock.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 February 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Fergus Ewing on 17 February 2015
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism on 28 January 2015 (Official Report, c.17), how it will examine the climate consequences of unconventional gas production during the current moratorium.
Answer
On 28 January 2015, the Scottish Government announced plans to commission further research on unconventional oil and gas during the moratorium. Further details will be announced in due course.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen McLeod on 17 February 2015
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the Crofting (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2013.
Answer
The Crofting (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2013 simply made it possible for owner-occupier crofters to apply to the Crofting Commission to decroft the whole or part of their crofts, and for the Crofting Commission to give directions on such applications.
The Crofting Commission will consider such applications on the merits of individual cases and decide whether the land in question should remain subject to crofting tenure or not.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen McLeod on 17 February 2015
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish information on the enforcement action it takes in relation to breaches of the Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010.
Answer
The Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010 transpose into domestic legislation the requirements of Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and clean air for Europe.
Although local authority action has an important contribution to make, responsibility for complying with the directive lies with EU member states. The four UK administrations have jointly produced a series of action plans outlining the national and local policies which are being implemented to ensure compliance with the directive. The UK Government is also required to submit an annual compliance report to the European Commission. The commission may take any action it deems appropriate if it considers that insufficient progress is being made.
The plans and annual reports can be viewed on the UK-Air website: http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen McLeod on 17 February 2015
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to the Forestry Commission Scotland with the preparation of its new corporate plan.
Answer
The Scottish Government provides £64.1 million to Forestry Commission Scotland to fund its activities. It does not provide any additional specific support to prepare its corporate plan.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen McLeod on 17 February 2015
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications to decroft by owner-occupier crofters have been made in each year since 2007, and how many were approved.
Answer
That information is not held centrally. I have asked the Chief Executive of the Crofting Commission, which administers crofting on behalf of the Scottish Ministers, to provide this information to you and to the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, (SPICe).
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 February 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen McLeod on 17 February 2015
To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made toward its target to establish 100,000 hectares of new woodland by 2022.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises that this is an ambitious target that will require efforts to address the barriers which are preventing new planting and to increase the demand for planting grants.
The Scottish Rural Development Plan 2015-2020 includes new forestry proposals, which should encourage more woodland creation applications. Programme approval from the European Commission is expected in 2015, however the new Forestry Grant Scheme will open for applications from mid-March 2015.
The following table shows the amount of new planting since 2012:
| New planting (ha) | Conifer | Broadleaved | Total |
| 2012-13 | 1,700 | 5,300 | 7,000 |
| 2013-14 | 2,000 | 6,300 | 8,300 |
| Total | 3,700 | 11,600 | 15,300 |
When the new scheme opens in March 2015, Forestry Commission Scotland expect to approve an additional 1,500 hectares of planting for 2015-2016 planting season giving a forecast figure of new planting in 2015-2016 of 7,000 hectares.
