Freedom of Information Requests - Onshore Input to Stromar Wind Farm Scoping (Jan–Apr 2024)
Date: 21 July 2025
Our ref: SIR180681/A5273199
Information Request – Onshore Input to Stromar Wind Farm Scoping (Jan–Apr 2024)
Your Request
Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I respectfully request the following information in relation to the Stromar Offshore Wind Farm project:
- Did NatureScot provide any formal response, memo, advice, or comment to Marine Scotland regarding the onshore cable landfall, inshore environment, or terrestrial habitats associated with the Stromar Wind Farm Scoping Report submitted in January 2024?
- Specifically, did NatureScot submit or share the memo dated 6 March 2024 (addressed to Fiona Randall, Aberdeenshire Council) — or any similar advice — with Marine Scotland for inclusion in the formal Scoping Opinion issued in April 2024?
- Please provide any related correspondence, submissions, or consultation records between NatureScot and Marine Scotland concerning onshore or inshore ecological risks for the Stromar Wind Farm between December 2023 and April 2024?
Our Response
Following a search of the information we hold our response is below.
- Did NatureScot provide any formal response, memo, advice, or comment to Marine Scotland regarding the onshore cable landfall, inshore environment, or terrestrial habitats associated with the Stromar Wind Farm Scoping Report submitted in January 2024?
NatureScot provided advice (dated 19 February 2024) regarding the Stromar offshore scoping and Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) screening reports to Marine Directorate. Our advice considered aspects seaward of Mean High Water Springs (MHWS), including the cable landfall and inshore environment. This is attached separately.
We have marked out (redacted) personal data in the documents provided. Releasing the 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).
- Specifically, did NatureScot submit or share the memo dated 6 March 2024 (addressed to Fiona Randall, Aberdeenshire Council) — or any similar advice — with Marine Scotland for inclusion in the formal Scoping Opinion issued in April 2024?
NatureScot did not share our advice to Aberdeenshire Council (dated 6 March 2024) regarding the Stromar onshore scoping and HRA screening reports with Marine Directorate. This is because Marine Directorate are only involved seaward of MHWS. Aberdeenshire Council are the regulator for the onshore works, and they received our advice on the onshore aspects referenced above.
- Please provide any related correspondence, submissions, or consultation records between NatureScot and Marine Scotland concerning onshore or inshore ecological risks for the Stromar Wind Farm between December 2023 and April 2024?
This is attached separately.
We have marked out (redacted) personal data in the documents provided. Releasing the 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). Information outwith the scope of your request has also been redacted or removed.
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).
