Freedom of Information Request - Taylor Wimpey Whitefields Development - Halbeath Dunfermline
Date: 24 January 2025
Our ref: SIR178482/A4963400
Information Request – Taylor Wimpey Whitefields Development - Halbeath Dunfermline
Your Request
I am looking for confirmation of the location of the bat boxes installed on this site as mitigation/compensation for the bat roost that was demolished at Wester Whitefield Farm. I've walked around the development extensively and haven't seen any and Taylor Wimpey have refused (documented via email) to tell me where they are. In a recent Dunfermline Press article, they were, however, happy to state that the bat boxes had been installed in a 'belt of trees' on the site.
Can you please provide the exact location (marked on a site map), of the bat boxes and also provide confirmation of the date that Naturescot visited the site in person to visually confirm that these are where Taylor Wimpey say they are.
Our Response
NatureScot do not usually attend sites to confirm that compensation is in place. However, on this occasion, we visited the location provided by the ecologist on 17 January 2025 and can confirm that bat boxes have been placed within an agreed location and were sound. The information is attached separately.
The locations of bat roosts are sensitive environmental information, so we are unable to provide maps showing the location of erected bat boxes. Release of information under the EIRs is a release into the public domain and we do not believe that it is in the public interest to release information that might enable disturbance to these species. We are therefore applying EIRs Regulation 10(5)(g) – Protection of the environment.
To note, licences are issued based on information that is given as part of the application, and this can include the number and type of bat boxes that will be provided as compensation. If during works any of these plans change, such as being unable to erect the boxes where they were supposed to be, then it is the responsibility of the licence holder to contact NatureScot to approve these changes. Failure to do this may breach the licence conditions, meaning the work is not covered by the licence. We have no records of amendments to the original plans in this case.
We have redacted personal data from the document 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 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).
