Planning and Architecture Division Riogholtos no h-Albo gov.scot DLA Piper Scotland LLP Collins House Rutland Square Edinburgh EH1 2AA Local Governmem and Communities Directorate Ivl Scottish Government Your ref: 19 December 2019 Dear Sandy, RE: APPEALS PPA--240-2032 8. PPA 390-2029 Thank you for your letter of 19 November 2019 requesting advice on the practical application of the Scottish Government's finalised policy position on onshore unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development. You will be aware that the Scottish Government published its finalised policy position on 3rd October. The statement outlining this policy position is available online on the Scottish Government web pages at policy-@si -unconventional gas-development/ That statement sets out the particular concerns identified by the Scottish Government as the basis of the policy of no support for the development of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland. These include the insufficiency of epidemiological evidence on health impacts highlighted by Health Protection Scotland; the concerns from communities across Scotland regarding the disruption they anticipate on matters such as transport impacts, risks of pollution, and on their general health and wellbeing; and, concern regarding the compatibility of an unconventional oil and gas industry with Scotland's climate change targets1. As you indicate in your letter, planning decisions must be determined on their individual merits. Further, and as the Scottish Government's 2019 consultation addendum2 and The Committee on Climate Change's report (LINK) stated that, in arderto be compatible with Scottish cl'maie change targets. emissions irom production oi unconventional oil and gas would require to be not only regulated and closely monitored to ensure rapid action to address leaks. but also offset through reductions in emissions elsewhere in the Scottish economy. 1 8-cmsultatiun-Dolic sea-envr mnmentaI-repon- .-- INVESTORS amt, IN PEOPLE mfim "Slim {5 Victoria Duay, Edinburgh EH6 600 finalised policy position expressly set out, Scottish Ministers recognise that applications for planning and other necessary consents may be made by those holding Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences (PEDLs), and that these will require to be determined by the relevant authorities (or decision makers) according to the law and policy in force at the relevant time. Yours Sincerely, John McNairney, CHIEF PLANNER Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ www.gov.scot 