Transitional arrangements

NEWS

31 July 2019

The transitional arrangements have been updated to provide rules for marine modelling, baseline surveys and monitoring plans.  The introduction now recognises that there may be site-specific exceptions to these rules.

This table sets out the information that will be required to support an application throughout the transitional period to the end of January 2020. We recognise that there may be exceptions to these transitional rules because of site-specific issues.

Application submitted
 

Up to 31 May 2019

Between 01 June & 31 December 2019

From 01 January 2020

Summary of information requirements

Applications will be accepted with old or new information requirements.

Sites less than 2,500 tonnes may submit old or new information requirements.
Sites more than 2,500 tonnes will have to provide the new information requirements.

Applications only accepted if they provide the required information as specified in the pre-application framework.

Screening

Sites less than 2,500 tonnes
SEPA will not undertake screening.
Sites more than 2,500 tonnes
SEPA will undertake screening.

Sites less than 2,500 tonnes SEPA will not undertake screening.
Sites more than 2,500 tonnes SEPA will undertake screening.

All sites will have to provide the information to allow SEPA to undertake screening.

Depomod modelling

AutoDepomod will be accepted and SEPA will run the data through NewDepomod.

 Applications supported by NewDepomod preferred but sites less than 2,500 tonnes can submit modelling using AutoDepomod and SEPA will run the data through NewDepomod. Sites more than 2,500 tonnes must submit modelling using NewDepomod.

Sites must submit modelling using NewDepomod.

Marine modelling

 SEPA will not ask for additional marine modelling if it was not required as part of pre-application discussions with us.

 

Sites less than 2,500 tonnes SEPA will not normally ask for additional marine modelling if it was not required as part of pre-application discussions with us.
Sites more than 2,500 tonnes SEPA expects marine modelling to be carried out.

SEPA would expect marine modelling in most situations.

Baseline surveys

SEPA will not ask for additional baseline surveys if we have information on the identification of protected species and habitats potentially affected by the site footprint.

Sites less than 2,500 tonnes SEPA will not ask for additional baseline surveys if we have information on the identification of protected species and habitats potentially affected by the site footprint.
Sites more than 2,500 tonnes SEPA will expect baseline surveys to be undertaken as specified by the new framework.

Baseline surveys to be undertaken as required by the new framework.

Monitoring plans

SEPA may accept monitoring plans submitted with the application if they are adequate to assess the impact of the proposed farm. If they are inadequate SEPA will, within 6 months of issue of the permit, require submission of a plan which meets the requirements of the performance standard.

 SEPA may accept monitoring plans submitted with the application if they are adequate to assess the impact of the proposed farm. If they are inadequate SEPA will, within 6 months of issue of the permit, require submission of a plan which meets the requirements of the performance standard.

Applications must be accompanied by a seabed and water monitoring plan which meets the requirements of the performance standard.

Engagement with local communities

SEPA will not ask you to engage retrospectively with local communities.

SEPA will not ask you to engage retrospectively with local communities if the information that you have provided is adequate.
We will ask you to engage with local communities if it is necessary for you to do further modelling.

SEPA will ask you to engage with local communities early in the pre-application process. This will ensure that your modelling can be designed to address any concerns.

Standards

SEPA will apply its new framework environmental standards.

Permit conditions

New permit conditions apply.

Note: There may be a small number of applications that have been determined under the old regime and that are ready for permits to be issued; or that are subject to appeal or call-in provisions. They will be issued with the conditions that applied under the old framework.