Offshore wind energy - draft updated Sectoral Marine Plan: statement of publication participation

Statement of Public Participation and purpose of consultation

3.1 The purpose of this Statement of Public Participation is to set out how we will engage and enable people to make their views on the development of the draft updated SMP-OWE heard.

3.2 The purpose of this consultation is to collect and understand the views of individuals and organisations on the potential impacts and opportunities of offshore wind deployment across Scotland. Responses will be analysed and will feed into the finalisation of the updated SMP-OWE, with key areas of influence being the implementation of the Plan and proposed mitigation measures. Responses will also feed into the wider evidence base for informing future decision-making in relation to offshore wind and marine planning.

3.3 The draft updated SMP-OWE and assessments will be available during the consultation period, with online and regional in-person events to be held to provide further opportunity to raise awareness of and engage stakeholders and the public on the development of the draft updated Plan. Locations have been selected based on locations of the Option Areas in the scope of the Plan and feedback received from the previous SMP-OWE consultation in 2020. Once confirmed, dates and venues of events will be shared with our mailing list and advertised locally.

3.4 During the consultation period, we will be seeking formal written responses on the draft updated SMP-OWE and the findings of the associated plan-level assessments, including:

• Strategic Environmental Assessment (“SEA”)
• Habitats Regulations Appraisal Appropriate Assessment Information Report (“HRA AAIR”)
• Social and Economic Impact Assessment (“SEIA”)
• Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area (“NCMPA”) Assessment
• Sustainability Appraisal (“SA”) Report
• Partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (“BRIA”)
• Partial Island Communities Impact Assessment (“ICIA”)
• Regional Locational Guidance (“RLG”)

3.5 The Scottish Government is keen to build the views of statutory, sectoral, regional, voluntary and other bodies, as well as members of the public, into the planning process. Consultation is essential to the development and implementation of the updated SMP-OWE and it is important that all those with an interest have the opportunity to have their say in the development and implementation stages of developing the updated Plan.

Methods of engagement

3.6 Though the SMP-OWE is not statutory, and publication of a SPP is only a legal requirement for statutory marine plans, this SPP for the draft updated SMP-OWE will continue to follow the revised National Standards for Community Engagement, which set out best practice principles for effective community engagement.

3.7 Consultation on the draft updated SMP-OWE will continue to follow the Government Consultation Principles to meet the legal standard of the Gunning Principles. These are designed to make a consultation fair and worthwhile exercise.

The Gunning Principles:

• Consult when proposals are at a formative stage
• Give enough information for intelligent consideration
• Give adequate time for response
• Explain how consultation results have been taken into account in policy or legislation

3.8 Throughout the development of the updated SMP-OWE, various methods of engagement have been carried out with a range of stakeholders to consider the potential impacts on the marine environment and other marine sectors from the ScotWind and INTOG leasing rounds and the mitigation required to support the ambitious scale of development. This has included regular engagement with the Steering Group, as members have been given opportunities to comment on data used, the methodologies and conclusions of the technical assessments. Further details of Steering Group membership can be found in Annex A. The preparation of the Island Communities Impact Assessment has been supported by targeted engagement with representatives of affected island communities. Regular awareness sessions with specific stakeholder groups and wider audiences are also carried out.

3.9 Consultation on the updated SMP-OWE will provide the next opportunity for stakeholders to feed into the process of developing the updated SMP-OWE.

3.10 Public engagement channels will include:

• A series of in-person events, offering support with completion of consultation responses. Drop-in sessions and formal presentations of findings with question-and-answer sessions will be offered.
• Online events, also comprising presentations and question-and-answer sessions.

3.11 Digital and paper copies of all materials will be made available, including the Respondent Information Forms and Questionnaires for attendees to complete at events or take away for later completion and returned by post/email.

Engagement on Previous Plan

3.12 The existing SMP-OWE (2020) was subject to two rounds of public consultation, one on the broader areas of search (“scoping” stage) and one on the proposed draft Plan Options (the suggested sites to be leased to developers), between December 2019 and March 2020, with feedback provided in the Consultation Analysis Report. Feedback from consultation on the SMP-OWE (2020) informed the selection of Plan Options within the final Plan.

3.13 Consultation on the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Planning Specification and Context Report ran from 25 August 2021 to 20 October 2021, and sought responses and views to refine the Areas of Search for new offshore wind development within the plan and captured in the initial plan framework published in February 2022.