Freedom of Information Request - BAE Systems Dargavel
Date: 13 March 2025
Our ref: SIR179154/A5039924
Information Request – BAE Systems Dargavel
Your Request
BAE Systems have an ongoing large development on their land in Dargavel Village in Bishopton. On their website they have quoted that they have obtained a 5-year renewable license from Nature Scot for the management of Badger, Otter and Bat habitats on the development.
On the basis of public interest and the freedom of information act, can you please advise if you would be willing to send me a copy of the licenses that they have in place for the Dargavel Development?
Our Response
We have discussed your information request with our Licensing Team. A copy of the licences issued to BAE Systems are attached separately to this response.
We have marked out (redacted) some personal data in the documents provided. Releasing personal data into the public domain in response to an access to information request would breach the Data Protection Act 2018. We are therefore withholding the information under EIRs Regulation 11(2) (Personal data).
We have also redacted some information that would identify the locations of badger setts, otter holts and bat roosts, because releasing that information could increase the risk of deliberate disturbance to these species. As release of information under the EIRs is equivalent to release into the public domain, we do not believe it is in the public interest to release information that might enable disturbance to these species. We have therefore applied EIRs Regulation 10(5)(g) (Protection of the environment) to this information.
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
Document downloads
Due to accessibility issues the attached information, referenced above, is available on request by contacting the FOI team at [email protected]. Please reference the case number (starting with SIR).
