Currently, applications for hydro schemes over 1MW are decided by Ministers. The changes, announced yesterday, will bring hydro into line with the thresholds for determining wind farms.
"Scotland has a long tradition of hydro development and today's vibrant sector is putting forward plans for new, mainly small scale schemes all the time,” said Energy Minister Jim Mather. "At the moment planning authorities already consider hydro applications, sometimes at committee, before responding to Ministers. Rather than making a recommendation, councils will now apply local knowledge to make local decisions on hydro applications up to 50 MW, cutting out another layer of bureaucracy. Developers have welcomed these changes to simplify and streamline the process.
"Our tough target to determine energy applications within nine months has made a noticeable difference to the speed of decision making. While every application has its own characteristics, planning authorities are experienced in hydro schemes and I expect developers will now get even quicker decisions and be able to contribute further to Scotland's low carbon economy."
The planning process shake-up follows a consultation carried out between September and December 2010.
An order to change the threshold back to its original level has been laid in Parliament.
Applications submitted to Scottish Ministers before 1 June will continue to be determined by Scottish Ministers under the Section 36 process. From 1 June, new applications for hydro plants of 50MW or below will be for planning authorities to determine. The Scottish Government is currently processing three applications for hydro schemes.
There is no change to the threshold for other types of energy development.
