Documentation regarding Environmental Impact Assessment screening process and the award of grant money: EIR release

Information requested

There remain several unanswered questions about this process but it is not clear who we address these questions to. Do we question RPID ourselves? Who investigates our wider concerns regarding misinformation supplied to the EIA screening process and the award of grant money?

The questions for RPID are;

1. What documentation did RPID receive about the forestry plan i.e did they receive the WEAG assessment compiled by the applicant at any stage.

2. Did RPID have any prior contact with Scottish Woodlands other than that in the week before their statement of December 2023?

3. Why did RPID state that the entire area of agricultural land was so steep that it was only suitable for grazing when 80% of the land involved has a similar gradient to most of the surrounding area.

4. What changes would merit RPID to conclude that local patterns of agriculture would be affected forestry?

5. Why were RPID not kept informed about the progress of this plan.

6. Do RPID normally expect to see, and have some input, to the final submission for the EIA screening process.

Response

I refer to your original request reference 202500472571 and RPIDs response where a copy of all information you requested of correspondence between parties in connection with the Glen of Rothes Woodland Creation under Forestry Grant Scheme, case ref: 23FGS75494 and the information provided.

I also refer to the second request reference 202500477320 and the response provided.

RPIDs response regarding slope and reference to the LCA 4.1/4.2 was based on the assumption that this grade of land would be kept in agricultural use and that any planting would be limited to the edges of fields or on steeper banks only and this would be assessed by Scottish Forestry as part of any FGS application.

RPID has no influence in any local farming practices, land tenure or ownership. As part of the WEAG Impact Assessment, RPID were advised that both tenants owned additional ground in the Grampian region area and would be offered alternative land.

In terms of the Forestry Grant Scheme/EIA screening requests and the awarding of grant money, that information is not held and we recommend that you contact Scottish Forestry for that information.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.