Update September 2026
Following a recent meeting with Ariane Burgess, Green MSP for the Highlands, Boleskine Biodiversity Group and Ness District Salmon Fisheries Board prepared a set of five questions which Ariane kindly agreed to submit to the Scottish Parliament. Answers to the questions (below) should be available by mid-September.
Question 1, reference: S7W-02526
Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 18 August 2026
Current status: Answer expected on 16 September 2026
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential impact of the proposed Loch Kemp Pumped Storage Hydro development on the objectives of its 30 by 30 commitment to protect at least 30% of Scotland’s land and seas for nature by 2030, particularly in relation to the protection and restoration of designated sites for nature.
Answer
It would not be appropriate to comment on the Loch Kemp Pumped Storage Hydro development proposal, as this is a live application under consideration by the Scottish Ministers for determination.
Potential impacts on communities, nature, and cultural heritage, including the cumulative effects of developments, are important considerations in the decision-making process for applications for energy consent.
The decision whether to grant consent is taken only after careful consideration of environmental information, consultee responses and public representations. In reaching their decision, Scottish Ministers will determine applications in accordance with legislative requirements and relevant policy.
Question 2, reference: S7W-02527
Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 18 August 2026
Current status: Answer expected on 16 September 2026
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to designating Loch Ness as a National Scenic Area, and what assessment has been made of any potential benefits and implications of such a designation for the landscape, natural and cultural heritage, biodiversity and local economy.
Answer
The Loch Ness area is not designated as a National Scenic Area (NSA) and there have been no recent proposals to consider designating it. Any proposal to designate Loch Ness as a NSA would need to be brought forward in consultation with NatureScot and the local community.
Loch Ness and Duntelchaig is designated by the Highland Council in the Highland Wide Local Development Plan (LDP, 2012) as a Special Landscape Area (SLA).
National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) Policy 4 (Natural Places) part (d) sets out that development proposals that affect a site designated as a local landscape area in the LDP will only be supported where:
i. Development will not have significant adverse effects on the integrity of the area or the qualities for which it has been identified;
or ii. Any significant adverse effects on the integrity of the area are clearly outweighed by social, environmental or economic benefits of at least local importance.
Question 3, reference: S7W-02528
Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 18 August 2026
Current status: Answer expected on 16 September 2026
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration NatureScot gave to the potential loss of rare red-listed lichen species and veteran hazel associated with Easter Ness Woods SSSI and Ness Woods SAC in its submission to the Loch Kemp Pumped Storage Hydro public hearing, and what assessment was made of the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures.
Answer
I have asked NatureScot to respond. Their response is as follows:
“Lichens and hazel are considered typical species of the Ness Woods SAC woodland habitats and impacts to these species have been considered in the context of the relevant conservation objectives throughout the assessment process for this development.”
“NatureScot has agreed with the conclusions of the Habitats Regulations Appraisal for the proposal in relation to the SAC and also that the required mitigation and compensatory measures would be sufficient.”
“These measures included a requirement for dust monitoring and management to mitigate the effects of dust deposition on the lichen species.”
“NatureScot therefore did not participate in the public hearing and so did not submit a Hearing Statement, although it has responded to questions from the Reporter.“
Question 4, reference: S7W-02529
Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 18 August 2026
Current status: Answer expected on 16 September 2026
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of pumped storage hydro developments on wild Atlantic salmon populations and how this is being taken into account in delivering the objectives of the Wild Salmon Strategy.
Answer
The potential impacts of pumped-storage hydro developments on wild Atlantic salmon populations are assessed and considered as part of the statutory consenting and environmental assessment processes for individual proposals, including section 36 (Electricity Act 1989) consenting for projects over 50 mega-watts, Environmental Impact Assessment, Habitats Regulations Appraisal where required, and SEPA’s environmental authorisation process.
In determining section 36 applications, Scottish Ministers must, so far as possible, avoid causing injury to fisheries or fish stocks and obtain SEPA’s advice where regulated water activities are involved. Where an appropriate assessment is required under regulation 48 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994, the Scottish Ministers must consult NatureScot and have regard to its representations.
Where relevant, decision-makers will also have regard to National Planning Framework 4 policies on biodiversity, natural places and renewable energy development alongside the statutory consenting and environmental assessment processes.
Separately, pumped-storage hydro schemes require environmental authorisation from SEPA for activities affecting the water environment. SEPA assesses impacts, including those on wild fish stocks, hydrology and morphology, and may impose conditions requiring mitigation and monitoring. These processes support delivery of the Wild Salmon Strategy by helping to avoid or reduce additional pressures on freshwater habitats, migration routes and wild smolt production, including cumulative effects. SEPA is also consulting on draft guidance setting out the environmental information, assessment and mitigation expected for storage and pumped-storage hydropower schemes.
Question 5, reference: S7W-02530
Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: 18 August 2026
Current status: Answer expected on 16 September 2026
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to any implications of approving pumped storage hydro developments within or affecting designated sites for the delivery of its 30 by 30 commitment to protect at least 30% of Scotland’s land and seas for nature by 2030, including any potential implications for future development proposals.
Answer
Where proposed development, whether pumped storage hydro or otherwise, is likely to affect a protected area, NatureScot will be a statutory consultee within the approvals process. When considering its response to such consultations, NatureScot will consider both direct and indirect impacts on the protected area of the development in itself and any potential cumulative effects. Amongst a range of considerations, NatureScot will evaluate the extent to which the proposed development could negatively affect the effective management for biodiversity on the site and therefore the ability of the protected area to contribute to achieving the 30 by 30 commitment.