Track the business activity and commercial plans of Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) — identify tender and future spending opportunities before they reach the market, follow cabinet and committee decisions, and understand the council’s priorities, with intelligence extracted from 575 analysed meetings. DPEA (Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals) is a Scottish Government body that handles planning and environmental appeals in Scotland. It operates independently to determine appeals against decisions made by local planning authorities across Scotland.
Meetings analysed575
Procurement opportunities1,205
Pressures tracked1,279
Estimated pipeline value£394m–£94m
Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) Procurement Intelligence | QuorumInsight
Active procurement topics
Over the last 12 months, the most frequently discussed commercial topics in this council's meetings have been Professional Services (25 mentions, steady), IT & Digital (10 mentions, easing), Utilities & Energy (9 mentions, steady) and Construction & Building Works (7 mentions, steady).
Commercial signals extracted from recent Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) meetings — approvals, budget decisions and early procurement discussions, before a tender is published.
Discussion of Nature Scot's standardized collision risk model for assessing white-tailed eagle and golden eagle collision risks at wind farm developments. The applicant (Nicole Robinson) explained the multi-stage model incorporating bird activity surveys, collision probability calculations, and avoidance rates. The model is acknowledged as a crude assessment tool that may be precautionary rather than accurate, but remains the only standard tool available for comparing relative risks between developments.
“It's a tool and it's not an actual predictor of collision fatalities... the primary purpose of the Nature's Scot collision risk model is therefore its estimate of success collision. And where the stages of the model are followed consistently, it's possible to compare these risks…”
Scottish Borders Council is seeking to stop up (formally close) three parking spaces that were previously marked in an adopted road at Birks View as part of planning conditions for a development. The stopping up order is being pursued under Section 207 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 rather than Section 68 of the Road (Scotland) Act. Council's justification is that these parking spaces must be stopped up to allow the development to proceed, with replacement parking spaces planned at the end of the road in a different location within the turning area.
“our practise would be that if a road became unnecessary, then we would utilise the powers and terms of section 68 of the Road to Scotland Act. But our practise has always been if there's a planning, planning permission is granted that a road or part of a road needs to be stocked…”
Construction of the Inner Harbour Revetment Wall has been completed as of December 2024. This is critical infrastructure supporting the marina development and protecting the broader site from coastal flooding. Detailed engineering design for the Western Harbour Inner Revetment Wall and revised Marina licences commenced in March 2025, with completion nearing. These works are required for Marine Scotland licensing of the marina.
“the Inner Harbour revetment wall construction was completed in December 2024... In March 25, we ordered works for the detailed engineering design for the Western Harbour Inner Revetment Wall and the revised Marina licenses... the work is nearing completion”
Schedule 4 Paragraph 9 of the Electricity Act 1989 provides the statutory framework enabling electricity licence holders to apply for orders requiring felling or lopping of trees in close proximity to electrical lines that obstruct/interfere with installations or constitute unacceptable danger. Ministers may order the work and determine expenses payable. Work must be carried out in accordance with good arboricultural practice, causing minimal damage. The framework is rarely used (only handful of applications historically).
“Schedule 4 of the Act, I think it's fair to see, is broadly about enabling the logistics of electricity delivery on the ground and the powers of a licence holder to do essential things on other people's land on a compulsory basis”
Scottish Hydro Distribution (SSEN) has applied for a necessary tree cutting order at Forest Glen Holiday Park to lop trees and vegetation near electrical infrastructure. The application relates to Schedule 4 Paragraph 9 of the Electricity Act 1989, which allows a licence holder to require felling or lopping of trees in close proximity to electrical lines that obstruct or interfere with the installation or constitute a danger. The landowners (Mr and Mrs Gregory) have served a counter-notice, triggering referral to Scottish Ministers for determination.
“Scottish Hydro Distribution, just to shorten it, for an order that trees and other vegetation be lopped at the Forest Glen Holiday Park in Glenmorriston”
Wind Energy / Environmental Management · 9 Sept 2025
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has requested to submit newly published guidance on forestry and scheduled monuments (published the week prior to the inquiry session) and proposed revisions to condition 37 of the development consent. This relates to environmental and heritage management conditions for the wind farm project.
“HES have requested to submit a couple of documents. One is some newly published guidance on forestry and scheduled monuments that I think was published last week and another is some proposed revisions to proposed condition 37.”
This transcript documents a Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division hearing session (WIN-270-26) on the Loch Liath Wind Farm, a Section 36 application for renewable energy development. The hearing focused on energy policy, planning policy compatibility, socio-economic benefits, environmental impacts (particularly on peat and biodiversity), and proposed conditions. Key procurement considerations include: grid connection requirements and timelines (post-2030 connection date); renewable energy capacity targets (20GW by 2030, 66GW by 2045); contract and employment commitments; community benefit fund allocation (£5,000/megawatt over 35-year lifetime); infrastructure investment requirements for grid upgrades (billions of pounds); and conditions requiring appointment of environmental clerk of works and various specialist consultants. The applicant is proposing an 85MW wind farm with 12 turbines at approximately 150m tip height, representing estimated capital expenditure and construction employment benefits to Highland and Scotland.
This is a Scottish Government Planning Environmental Appeals Division (DPA) inquiry session (Day 2) regarding the Loch Liath Wind Farm proposal. The session focuses on landscape and visual impact assessment, comparing expert witnesses' methodologies and conclusions regarding effects on sensitive landscapes. Key procurement-related discussion involves the application's design process, mitigation measures, consultant involvement (LUC - Land Use Consultants), and comparison with other wind farm developments. While this is primarily a planning inquiry rather than a procurement-focused council meeting, there are references to design consultancy services, environmental assessment frameworks, and strategic guidance development that have procurement implications for landscape and environmental services.
This transcript documents an inquiry hearing into an application by Loch Leith Wind Farm Ltd to construct a 13-turbine wind farm near Drumnadrochit in Scotland. The hearing examined landscape and visual impact evidence, with key disputes between the applicant (represented by Land Use Consultants), Highland Council, Glenorchy Community Council, and STAG regarding visual effects from various viewpoints, impacts on Special Landscape Areas and National Scenic Areas, and the appropriateness of design mitigation measures. The applicant argued for a clustered extension to existing Blairey wind farm development, while the council and community groups objected to perceived cumulative impacts on landscape character and visual amenity, particularly from Loch Ness and Glen Affric areas.
This transcript documents a Scottish public inquiry hearing (WIN-270-24) regarding the Culachy Estate Windfarm Section 36 consent conditions. The session focused on reviewing and negotiating detailed planning and environmental conditions for a proposed wind farm development. Key procurement-relevant outcomes include: agreement on most Section 36 conditions with minor amendments; resolution of disputes over energy storage facility design specifications; clarity on ecological monitoring and reporting requirements; agreement on private water supplies condition with enhanced contact provisions; ongoing discussions on local employment scheme condition wording; and a commitment to submit revised conditions within one week. The hearing also addressed cumulative traffic management planning concerns. The applicant is FADL (project manager: Sarah Kelly), with Highland Council and objector representatives present. Closing submissions are scheduled for mid-November 2025.
This transcript documents a Scottish public inquiry hearing (WIN-270-24) for the Culahie Estate Windfarm application conducted by appointed reporter Gordon Reid on 29 October 2025. The hearing focused on legislative and policy framework considerations. Key discussion areas included: compliance with the Electricity Act 1989 Schedule 9; applicability of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) Policy 11 on energy development; consistency with Highland Council's local development plan policies; landscape and visual impact assessment criteria; grid connection processes and timing (with potential 2032 connection date); renewable energy policy targets (20GW by 2030); and emerging policy on battery energy storage systems. The applicant (represented by Savills) progressed through gate 1 and partial gate 2 with National Grid ESO, achieving "strategic alignment" with Clean Power 2030. Highland Council and objectors (Ian Kelly Planning Consultants representing local residents) disputed the localized nature of landscape impacts and policy compliance. The hearing clarified policy interpretation, previous decision relevance, and outstanding regulatory frameworks for battery storage facilities.
This transcript is from Day 2 of a Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) inquiry into the Culachy Estate Windfarm section 36 application under the 1989 Electricity Act. The session focuses on landscape and visual impact assessment evidence, with cross-examination of the Council's landscape witness (Mr. Daly) by the applicant's counsel (Mr. Trannock). The discussion covers methodology for landscape value assessment, special landscape area impacts, visual effects from various viewpoints, comparison with previous proposals, and supplementary guidance criteria. No direct procurement opportunities, contracts, or spending decisions are discussed. This is a regulatory/planning inquiry rather than a council procurement meeting.