Scotland planning news, July 2021

 

The Scottish Government has pledged £26 million for a new energy transition zone in Aberdeen. The zone is expected to create 2500 green jobs by 2030 and a further 10,000 energy transition related jobs. The zone will be located adjacent to Aberdeen’s new £350 million South Harbour development which is the largest marine infrastructure project currently underway in the UK. The zone is designed to facilitate the transition of the area so that it becomes a hub for clean energy with offshore wind and hydrogen infrastructure put in place. The funding will be provided by the Scottish Governments Energy Transition Fund which is designed to support the oil, gas and energy sectors to diversify while also attracting more private investment. The Net Zero, Energy and Transport Secretary Michael Matheson outlined how the Scottish Government was “wholly committed” to ceasing the nations contribution to climate change by 2045 and that a transition to net zero will be done in a just fashion so that “no one is left behind”.

 

Rural connectivity in Scotland has been given a boost as £3.75 million is being invested to improve mobile coverage in some of Scotland’s most rural areas. The new investment is the latest phase of the Scottish 4G Infill (S4GI) infrastructure programme which aims to provide nine masts for the Scottish Borders, Highlands, Angus and island communities, The masts will enable people living and working in the most rural areas to access 4G mobile network connectivity for the first time. Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said:

“Extending the programme’s reach brings lasting economic, social and environmental benefits. As we move out of lockdown, increased mobile connectivity will help bridge the digital divide between rural and urban areas, allowing people to work more flexibly and sustainably while keeping communities safe and connected”.

The 12 new mast locations are: Deanburnhaugh; Ham; The Craigs; Kinlochard; Inverie (formerly referred to as Mallaig); Kenmore; Ellemford; Berneray Harbour; Rottal (formerly referred to as Clova); Stronachlachar; Achnosnich; Kilchoman.

 

Scotland’s biggest social landlord has pledged to build 5500 new homes by 2026. The Wheatley Group has said that all new development’s will be either social housing or mid-market rent. The Scottish National Party was re-elected in May and as part of their manifesto they have pledged to deliver 100,000 affordable homes in the next ten years. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Scottish construction industry has been severely disrupted resulting in less housing competitions then envisaged pre pandemic. However, the Wheatley Group is currently building 1229 homes and with these new plans in place the Group would improve 38% on the 4000 homes they have managed to construct in the last five years.

 

The largest renewable energy hub in Scotland has been proposed for the Port of Leith on a site comprising 71 hectares. The scheme will cost £40 million and will be capable of accommodating the largest offshore wind installation vessels in the world. The site will also contain a heavy lift capability with 14 hectares of adjacent land available for logistics as well as a further 57 hectares to facilitate lay down; assembly; supply chain and manufacturing opportunities. Charles Hammond, group chief executive of Forth Ports, said “This is a pump-priming investment in logistics and marine infrastructure at the Port of Leith as we harness Scotland’s natural resources for future generations and has the potential to play a significant part in our forthcoming Firth of Forth Green Port bid”. It is also planned that the hub will be able to support 1,000, long term direct jobs and about 2,000 indirect jobs and that that the hub will make a significant contribution to Scotland achieving its 2045 net zero greenhouse gases target.