Freedom of Information Request - NatureScot Review of Onshore EIAR (Buchan Offshore Wind)
Date: 15 January 2026
Our ref: SIR182790/A5656669
Information Request – NatureScot Review of Onshore EIAR (Buchan Offshore Wind)
Your Request
‘Following my earlier request regarding the basis for NatureScot’s statement in its onshore scoping consultation response dated 16 September 2024 (“We do not agree to Loch of Strathbeg being scoped out”), I am seeking disclosure of recorded information relating to any subsequent review by NatureScot of the onshore Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for the Buchan
Offshore Wind onshore transmission application (APP/2025/1617).
Specifically, I request disclosure of any recorded information held by NatureScot that shows:
1. Whether NatureScot has reviewed, in whole or in part, the submitted onshore EIAR in light of its scoping consultation response of 16 September 2024; and
2. If so, any recorded correspondence, internal notes, assessment records, or review comments that:
• identify whether the matters raised in NatureScot’s scoping advice were considered to be addressed in the onshore EIAR; or
• identify any elements of NatureScot’s scoping advice that were considered not to have been addressed, only partially addressed, or addressed in a different manner.
If NatureScot has not reviewed the onshore EIAR to date, or holds no recorded information addressing whether its 16 September 2024 scoping advice is reflected in the EIAR, please confirm this explicitly.
For the avoidance of doubt, I am not requesting opinions, new analysis, or commentary on the merits of the application — only disclosure of any recorded information already held by NatureScot.’
Our Response
Following a detailed search of the information we hold we can confirm we have found a number of documents relevant to your request. These are attached separately.
NatureScot reviewed the submitted onshore EIAR for the purposes of providing advice and issued a formal response to Aberdeenshire Council on the 24 November 2025. This response is included as part of the attached information.
NatureScot’s formal response to the onshore EIAR (issued on 24 November 2025) sets out our recorded comments in relation to matters raised in our scoping advice.
We have redacted personal data from the documents provided because 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 11(2) (Personal Data) of the EIRs.
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 file size 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).
