Enhancements required for Bute House to meet carbon emission target: EIR release

Information requested

Content of any documents, including reports and emails, that discuss the enhancements required to Bute House for it to meet the Scottish Government's targets for carbon emissions for buildings, including the required changes to its heating system.

Please include any assessment of the building as it currently operates and any estimated costs for making the changes.

Response

A desk based feasibility study was carried out in early 2020 to identify low carbon heating options for Bute House. A copy of the report is attached. Some of the information you have requested has been redacted under Regulation 10(5)(a) which allows authorities to withhold information where disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially, national security or public safety. The redacted section of the report contains staffing details for Bute House.

I have concluded that disclosure of this information would not be in the public interest as it would interfere with the Scottish Government’s ability to discharge its responsibilities effectively with regard to securing the safety of Scottish Government staff.

Bute House is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is a Category A listed building situated within the Edinburgh world heritage site and conservation area.

The assessment of the building as it currently operates is available in the form of an energy performance certificate from the Scottish EPC Register Home (scottishepcregister.org.uk). Under regulation 6(1)(b) of the EIRs, we do not have to give you information which is already publicly available and easily accessible to you in another form or format.

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FOI202100253839 - Information released

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