Draft Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy 2019: consultation analysis report

5 Consultation Events

5.1 Introduction

5.1.1 Additional engagement was undertaken as part of the public consultation with 17 public events around Scotland during February and March 2020 and a further event in London in March 2020. An event was scheduled in Kirkcudbright after the consultation events commenced, following feedback received at the two events in Stranraer and Newton Stewart. Details of the events were advertised in the local and national press, as well as via social media, newsletters and direct mailing.

5.1.2 The objectives of these events were to:

• Raise awareness of the sectoral marine planning process and ensure that interested parties' views and knowledge are taken into account;
• Raise awareness of the statutory consultation process and encourage participation
• Answer queries regarding the Plan and supporting documents;
• To gather feedback on the DPOs; and
• Gather further information to support the finalisation of the Regional Locational Guidance.

5.1.3 Events were held in a range of locations (Table 17) and were open to all, with no need to pre-register to attend (with the exception of the London event). The events were advertised via local and national media, social media and by stakeholders through newsletters, e-mails etc. The events took the format of an open drop-in session, held between 13:00 and 17:30 each day, followed by a presentation and Q&A session between 18:00-20:00. The presentations used at these events is available online for reference.^[6]

5.1.4 Hard copies of all documents were available at all events, as well as staff from Marine Scotland. In addition, staff from Crown Estate Scotland and consultants ABPmer, who were responsible for preparing the supporting assessments, were available at a number of the events. Hard copies of the Respondent Information Forms and Questionnaires were available for attendees to complete at the event, or to take away for later completion and return by post/e-mail.

5.1.5 Three topic sheets, summarising the planning process, the draft Plan and potential impacts on the fishing sector, were prepared to support the consultation process.

5.1.6 Our Statement of Public Participation was published at the start of the consultation^[7] and sets out how and when we planned to engage with stakeholders and the public, as well as how views and opinions gathered during the consultation period would be used to inform the process going forward.

5.1.7 The event locations and dates are shown in Table 17, below.

5.1.8 The events were attended by a range of individuals representing different sectors, organisations as well as members of the public. Attendees are summarised as:

• Chambers of Commerce
• Community Council members
• Consultants
• Council officials
• Elected Members
• Enterprise Organisations
• Individual fishers
• Individuals / local residents
• Local Development Trust
• Marine Scotland - Local Fisheries Offices
• Members of the public and local residents
• Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)
• National, local and regional fisheries organisations / associations
• Newspapers and local media outlets
• Oil and gas companies
• Regional Marine Planning Partnership representatives
• Renewable energy developers
• RSPB Scotland
• SNH

5.1.9 The representation per event is detailed in Table 18.

5.2 Topics and Questions

5.2.1 The Plan representatives were available to discuss the topics raised by the attendees and answer questions raised. A summary of the topics and questions raised at each of the events is provided in Appendix B. These discussions have also fed into the finalisation of the Plan and Sustainability Appraisal.

5.2.2 Topics raised most frequently across the regions are fisheries (raised at 15 events); and socio-economic benefits and dis-benefits (raised at 15 events). The topic of grid and transmission infrastructure was raised at 11 events.

5.2.3 Effects on landscape, seascape and visual impact were raised at seven events with effects on recreational users raised at four events. Other topics raised included:

• Ports infrastructure: three events
• Ornithology: two events
• Tourism: two events
• Natural heritage: two events
• Marine mammals: two events
• Existing developments: two events
• Oil and gas: two events
• Local regeneration: one event

5.2.4 A number of topics were also raised in association with the plan process and associated policies, these were related to:

• Climate change: three events
• Leasing: two events
• Energy generation targets
• Energy policy
• Onshore wind energy
• Implementation mechanisms
• Advisory Group
• Engagement and dialogue