Freedom of Information Request – Native woodland scheme at Schiehallion
Date: 21 August 2024
Our ref: SIR176435/A4698641
Information Request – Native woodland scheme at Schiehallion
Thank you for your information request, which we received on 24 July. We have considered your request under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’).
Your Request
“all correspondence between yourselves and the John Muir Trust (JMT) regarding the development of a native woodland/ montane woodland scheme at their property on Schiehallion in Perthshire, and any allied discussions on management of deer in the area.
In addition to communications with JMT, I would also like to see (1) All internal communications within Nature Scot on this matter and (2) Any discussions with third party organizations or individuals.
Any information should include maps and habitat assessments, and all written communications. I would like this information to cover the period 1st March 2023 until present.”
Our Response
We have discussed your request with our Operations and Wildlife Management teams, and who have provided the information that meets the the terms of your request. A copy of this information is attached as a separate document to this response.
We have redacted out one document in full as there was information relating to breeding bird sites as releasing this information into the public domain could cause harm or disturbance to these birds, we have applied the following exemption under the EIRS 10(5)(g) – Protection of the environment.
We have also redacted out some personal information from the information being released to you, as releasing this information 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).
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 [email protected]
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).
