Planning and Architecture

Environmental Impact Assessment and the Wull Muir court ruling

July 29, 2026 by Planning Directorate No Comments | Category Uncategorized

The Wull Muir Ruling

The Wull Muir ruling, also known as the ‘Raeshaw case’ is a decision by the Inner House of the Court of Session quashing the approval by a Scottish Government reporter of a wind farm appeal in the Borders.

Following the ruling, the Scottish Government convened a roundtable on the 12 May to discuss practical next steps for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Scotland. Those attending included representatives from Heads of Planning Scotland, the renewables industry, as well as legal and environmental professionals. This blog shares the minutes of that meeting and provides information on sources of guidance and support to planning authorities and the renewables sector on EIA.

EIA Guidance and support

The National Planning Hub (NPH) appointed Fothergill Training & Consulting Ltd to develop and deliver a EIA Training Course through winter 2025 into spring 2026. The course is aimed at planning officers seeking to develop, enhance or refresh their knowledge and understanding of EIA procedures and good practice. Content can be accessed on the NPH EIA web pages.

More recently we have commissioned Fothergill Training & Consulting Ltd to produce technical guidance on EIA assessment practice and dealing with uncertainty in light of the Wull Muir ruling. Work is underway and once completed we expect to publish guidance this winter.

This year’s EIA conference will take place in Edinburgh on 7th October bringing together over 130 EIA professionals in partnership with the Scottish Government, Historic Environment Scotland, NatureScot and SEPA. Further information on the event its developing agenda and registration can be found on the conference webpage.

Minutes of 12 May roundtable

The minute of meeting from the Wull Muir ruling EIA roundtable is available to view,  along with the PowerPoint presentation delivered by NESO during the meeting.

Tags: Environmental Impact Assessment, The Wull Muir Ruling

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