Planning Scotland's Seas: Sectoral Marine Plans for Offshore Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy in Scottish Waters. Consultation Analysis Report.

7 Additional Comments

7.1 As noted in the introduction to this report, 29 respondents (28 individuals and a local group) submitted answers to an additional question circulated by Struan Stevenson MEP, alongside their own views. This question asked "Do you support the development of commercial scale offshore renewable energy at a national and regional level?" and requested a 'yes' or 'no' answer as well as providing space for additional comments.

7.2 Twenty-three individuals and a local group answered 'no' they did not support the development of commercial scale offshore renewable energy at a national and regional level. Three individual respondents answered 'yes' and the two remaining individual respondents did not indicate whether they supported this or not.

7.3 A majority of comments from those respondents who indicated they did not support development of commercial scale offshore renewable energy at a national and regional level focused on wind energy specifically; it was not always easy to determine whether comments were limited to offshore wind energy as opposed to onshore.

7.4 The main themes emerging in additional comments at this question related to adverse visual impacts and a perception of costly or poor value energy sources.

7.5 In terms of other additional comments, beyond responses to the questions circulated by Struan Stevenson MEP and comments not referenced elsewhere, the following points were made:

• Shetland Islands Council suggestion that confusion may arise due to a perception that Marine Scotland and the Crown Estate appear to be attempting to move marine renewable developments forward;
• An individual respondent suggested a need to create more accountability for the Crown Estate, in its designation of zones for development-testing of different tidal energy technologies and the process of allocation of rights to different companies;
• Community Energy Foundation expressed surprise that Marine Scotland has not considered any tidal barrage schemes;
• Orkney Fisheries Association observed that in fishing, especially in island communities, a rare model exists of autonomous self-employed small business enterprises and that an 'interest group' should go further than a sectoral interest related to targeted fish or gear, but as a minority on a par with crofters and which should receive similar protection;
• The Civil Aviation Authority commented that aviation stakeholders are primarily concerned with offshore wind turbine sites and there is an international requirement for all obstacles of 300 feet or more in height to be marked on aeronautical charts and listed in the UK Aeronautical Information Publication.