HC Deb 27 February 1998 vol 307 cc381-2W
Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the baseline survey on areas likely to be affected by the proposed funicular railway on Cairngorm began; and if he will request Scottish Natural Heritage and the Highland Council to publish their results and engage in public consultation prior to its approval. [31230]

Mr. Macdonald

The baseline survey began in September 1997 and will be carried out over a 12 month period. The survey is intended to provide a factual description of the existing condition of an area delineated under the terms of the S50 Agreement involving the Highland Council and the developer. Scottish Natural Heritage and the Highland Council intend to make the survey results publicly available, unless there are good reasons for withholding certain information, for example to safeguard the location of specific nest sites. SNH and the Council will consult over the survey results if they consider it necessary but the information will essentially be factual and uncontentious.

Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the areas protected by the S.50 agreement relating to the proposed funicular railway on Cairngorm. [31241]

Mr. Macdonald

The agreement to which Scottish Natural Heritage is a party and the associated Visitor Management Plan will provide protection for land around Cairngorm including parts of the Cairngorms Special Protection Area and candidate Special Area of Conservation and the related SSSIs. These areas include woodland, moorland and montane habitats stretching from Loch Morlich to the montane plateau.

Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what meetings(a) he and (b) his officials have had with officials of the European Commission to discuss (i) the boundaries of the SPA/SAC on Cairngorm and (ii) the proposed funicular railway on Cairngorm. [31237]

Mr. Macdonald

Neither my hon. Friend nor any of his officials have had formal discussions with officials of the European Commission to discuss the boundaries of the Cairngorms SPA or candidate SAC.

The award of ERDF grant to the proposed funicular railway has been discussed by his officials with the Commission officials on many occasions, as is usual for all large projects. The latest discussion took place on 19 January 1998.

Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will request(a) Highland Council and (b) Scottish Natural Heritage to publish the proposed monitoring scheme for the funicular railway on Cairngorm and to consult the public and interested parties prior to its approval. [31245]

Mr. Macdonald

Both the Highland Council and Scottish Natural Heritage have expressed their intention to undertake a public consultation on the proposed monitoring scheme.

Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he consulted the Chairman of the Cairngorms Partnership on the proposed Cairngorm funicular; and what advice he was given. [31214]

Mr. Macdonald

Consideration of the planning application for the proposed Cairngorm funicular was a matter for the planning authority, the Highland Council, which granted planning approval on 27 March 1997. My right hon. Friend had no reason to consult the Chairman of the Cairngorms Partnership on this subject.