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Holyrood: Draft law amended to exempt Queen’s land from green energy measures

A DRAFT law at Holyrood was amended after the Queen’s lawyers raised concerns, with the changes exempting her land from green energy measures.

The exemption to the Heat Networks Bill means that land owned by the royals cannot not be subject to compulsory purchase orders without the monarch’s approval.

Correspondence between Buckingham Palace and the Scottish government showed discussion on Queen’s consent, where she is given sight of legislation affecting her interests.

Queen’s consent for the Heat Networks Bill was sought in January, though the content of many exchanges was redacted.

In February, officials working for then energy minister Paul Wheelhouse said that he had agreed to amendments.

He said that in the rare cases where the Queen’s estate could be used for a heat network, different provisions were needed for compulsory purchase orders on her land.

Buckingham Palace said the process of Queen’s consent did not alter the content of any legislation.

A spokesman for the Scottish government said that its policy is that the crown should be subject to requirements on the same basis as other parties, unless there is a legitimate reason for an exception.

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