Planning
Assessment
A detailed Environmental Impact Assessment has been produced, covering a wide range of topics. The scope of such an assessment has been consulted on with various relevant consultees via the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit. Additional Information to supplement the Enviromental Impact Asessment was provided to allow consultees to better understand the environmental impacts.
Consultation
A programme of public consultation, including public exhibitions, took place in 2016/2017 and will continue throughtout the application phase. Consultees continue to be consulted throughout the application process.
Application
Owing to the anticipated connected capacity of the scheme, an application for permission was submitted to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit. Aberdeenshire Council will however be an important consultee, along with NatureScot (formerly SNH), SEPA, Historic Environment Scotland and various other bodies including local communities.
Decision
Following submission of the application in October 2018, Additional Information was provided in August 2020 to respond to consultee queries which included the results of a full years additional bird survey. All consultee responses to this have now been received and the next steps are being considered. It is not currently known when Scottish Ministers will be in a position to make a decision on the application, but we will continue to provide updates as they become available,