Freedom of Information Request - Applications for conservation of SSSI status for the Loch Meallbrodden area
Date: 18 September 2025
Our ref: SIR181433/A5424471
Information Request – Applications for conservation of SSSI status for the Loch Meallbrodden area
Your Request
I am looking for details of any applications or consideration of any type of designation, conservation or protection status for the area surrounding Loch Meallbrodden, located approximately 1/2 mile North West of the village of Fowlis Wester.
Loch Mealbrodden sits in an area of lower ground between Milquhanzie Hill and Murray's Hill and is known to host several red listed species. The area is of interest because it is currently the subject of a proposed industrial development.
The period of interest is from 2004 to the present day.
In the event that there are records that show consideration has been given for any kind of protection but that did not proceed to protection being applied the reasons for not completing are requested. Similarly, if a protection was granted and subsequently de-notified, please provide any details that are held for the denotification.
Our Response
We have discussed your request with the Operations Team who deal with the area in which Loch Meallbrodden is situated. They have undertaken several searches of the information that we hold and discussed your request with other members of staff within NatureScot and found no applications or considerations of any type of designation, conservation or protection status for the area around Loch Meallbrodden at any time.
As we do not hold any information, we must apply the exemption 10(4)(a) (Information not held) to your request.
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
