On 7 September 2022 we published the SAS response to the Scottish Government’s redaction of substantial parts of our submission to the Onshore Wind Policy Statement Consultation. Their reasons for the redactions were unjustified and bizarre. Our full submission, the redacted version, our complaint, their response and our second stage complaint can be viewed here
On the 22 September, our second stage complaint was eventually acknowledged by SG Complaints who promised to respond within 20 working days. On 10 October we received an email informing us they could not respond within the deadline and were extending it to 27 October. On 27 October we received another email to say they could still not meet the deadline and would endeavour to respond by 3 November.
November 3 came and went with no response. We made enquiries on 4 November and heard nothing until 8 November when we were informed that they intended to provide a full response by 14 November.
Whilst we can fully appreciate the pressures our Civil Servants are under, these delays are unacceptable, not least because the publication of the Onshore Wind Policy Statement Refresh is due for release before Christmas and our full submission will not have been given the consideration it deserves. Without doubt we have raised issues which the Scottish Government don’t wish to acknowledge or allow anyone else to read but this is a public consultation and the public deserve to see the facts. Only last week our First Minister promised openness and transparency from the Scottish Government during her opening statement to the “ferry fiasco” public audit committee. Our submission was relevant, very much in the public interest and complied with SG Content policies but it is within their power to presume we are guilty until proven innocent and it appears they can take as long as they wish to do that. The OWPS could meanwhile be published without due consideration being given to the concerns of the public, making the whole concept of public consultation a complete travesty and a waste of public funds.
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