We wrote to the Energy Consents Unit of the Scottish Government, The North Lanarkshire Council and the Scottish Government to ask for a joined up approach to consenting for the various linked applications related to the AI Growth Zone. And this was the response from ECU

Reference: 202600516096
Your Reference: Transparency over the extent of developments comprising the North Lanarkshire AI
Growth Zone
29 May 2026
Dear Kat Jones,
Thank you for your correspondence of 4 May 2026 regarding proposed developments related to the
North Ayrshire AI Growth Zone. As an official working within the Energy Consents Unit (ECU), I have
been asked to respond.

The ECU understands the wish of communities to find out more about energy infrastructure proposals
which may come forward in support of large-scale developments. Applications considered by the ECU
are determined under the relevant statutory and regulatory frameworks, with each proposal assessed
on its own merits and subject to consultation and environmental assessment requirements where
applicable. Information relating to individual applications is publicly available through the ECU portal and
relevant Planning Authority portal, where appropriate.

The ECU’s role is to consider and determine applications submitted under the relevant consenting
regimes, not undertake strategic mapping or coordination of all potential developments. As such, we do
not plan to maintain a single consolidated map or list of all existing, proposed or potential energy
developments associated with the North Ayrshire AI Growth Zone. For these reasons, we do not think a
meeting to discuss this is necessary and therefore respectfully decline your request.

Please be assured that potential impacts on communities, nature and cultural heritage, including the
cumulative effects of developments, are important considerations in the decision-making process, with
all applications being subject to site-specific assessments.

Please also know that the Scottish Government is committed to strengthening pre-application and
engagement of affected communities as part of our ambition to reform the consenting process. Later this year we will consult on our plans to use new regulation-making powers granted through the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, including mandating pre-application engagement, creating an acceptance period and establishing new time limits, to improve the consenting process for all stakeholders.

Thank you again for your correspondence. I hope that the above is helpful.
Yours sincerely
Patrick Douglas-Early
OESC : Energy Consents