Chamber and committees

For permitted development purposes the consultation paper proposes to allow for one air source heat pump on houses and flats. In response to question S4W-27880 on 27 October 2015, we have stated that we are actively considering relaxing this restriction and that cumulative noise impact is a key matter. The partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment states our intention to undertake a post implementation review of the proposed regulations after a year.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The current definition of a non-domestic building (for the purposes of the installation of non-domestic microgeneration equipment) is a building other than a dwelling or a building containing a dwelling.

No discussions with stakeholders on this matter have taken place as the matter lies beyond the scope of the recent consultation. The partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment states our intention to undertake a post implementation review of the proposed regulations after a year. Should it be appropriate at that stage, we will discuss this matter with Gemserv Ltd who were appointed by the Secretary of State to administer the Microgeneration Certification Scheme on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Non-domestic purpose built solar panel arrays that are not attached to buildings are outwith the scope of this consultation.

It is estimated that at least 5,000 boreholes are drilled annually in Scotland and for a variety of purposes each year.

With regard to unconventional oil and gas, only boreholes drilled for the purpose of obtaining a core sample are permitted. Directions have been issued today to planning authorities and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency confirming this position.

It is the Scottish Government’s position that such boreholes must also have research and geoscience as their key driver and be undertaken in collaboration with an independent research body (such as the British Geological Survey) or academic institution, and the information obtained will be made available to support the evidence-base on unconventional oil and gas.

The Scottish Government, in consultation with stakeholders, will update planning guidance to reflect this position. Planning guidance will also be reviewed to ensure that borehole applications are subject to appropriate public scrutiny and that proposals satisfactorily address all the likely impacts on local communities and the environment.

In line with the precautionary, evidence-based approach already shown on unconventional oil and gas, the Scottish Government has now announced plans for a separate moratorium on planning consents related to underground coal gasification developments in Scotland. The moratorium will be accompanied by a programme of evidence-gathering work.

Information is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 57240).

Coalbed methane extraction is already covered by the existing moratorium on unconventional oil and gas developments.

The moratorium on unconventional oil and gas developments covers coal bed methane developments: these are unconventional developments and as such are covered whether or not they involve hydraulic fracturing.

All other developments using conventional drilling techniques are not covered by the moratorium.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24476 on 8 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.