Freedom of Information Request - Whitslaid Woodland Creation
Date: 30 September 2025
Our ref: SIR181567/A5477194
Information Request – Whitslaid Woodland Creation
Your Request
1. All ornithology, ecology and botanical surveys in relation to Whitlaid
2. The pre-app consultee responses and correspondence between NatureScot, Scottish Forestry and Eskdalemuir Forestry.
3. Any other correspondence between any other parties and NatureScot in relation to this application.
Our Response
We have discussed your request with other NatureScot staff and a copy of the information that meets the terms of your request is attached.
We have redacted information about badger, otters and species of birds. As 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.
We have also redacted personal data from the documents 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
