Barrier in place at Secret Beach as new owners of the Port of Ardersier (PoA) defend the move which has closed off access to section of Whiteness peninsula at Delnies Beach
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The new owners of the Port of Ardersier (PoA) have defended their right to build a fence which has closed off access to the Whiteness peninsula at Delnies Beach.
The barrier preventing public access has sparked an angry response from walkers who have used the area to the east of the access channel to the former McDermott yard.
And Highland Council has revealed it is investigating whether the fence requires planning permission and the issue of public access rights.
In a flurry of posts on social
media, the PoA has come under fire for cutting off public access to the peninsula opposite the port, which is also the site of a former fishing bothy that belongs to Cawdor Estate.
Commonly known as the Secret Beach, the Delnies foreshore was an access point to the site and popular with ramblers and bird watchers. It is also a site of special scientific interest.
At low tide walkers could cross the channel and explore the former oil yard. But in recent months new fences have appeared at the access road for security as the owners step up work to bring the redundant yard back into use.
The company has promised potentially up to 2000 new jobs developing platforms for offshore wind turbines and decommissioning rigs coming to the end of their life in the North Sea.
News of the takeover by the company has been widely welcomed for the economic benefits it will bring to the area – but the speed of the erection of the fence came as a shock.
The company has now confirmed that the fence just erected will be replaced by a more permanent structure in due course.
“A key part of Ardersier Port’s transformation is its designation as a statutory port – this is a UK government requirement which brings with it national and international obligations,” a spokesman said.
“In common with all other statutory ports in Scotland – such as Cromarty, Montrose, Aberdeen and Leith – we have to comply with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, designed to enhance the security of ships and port facilities.
“The code and all its requirements is monitored and enforced by the UK Department for Transport.
“In all cases this means securing the outer boundary of the port by means of a permanent structure.
“At Ardersier, the Harbour Revision Order (HRO) 2017 which applies to the port defines the jurisdiction and ownership of the Statutory Harbour Authority which includes the spit at Whiteness Head, and we are therefore required to restrict public access to this area.
“We regret this will prevent local people accessing an area of beach which they have enjoyed in the years since the McDermott Yard. We have currently erected a temporary fence and this will be made permanent in the weeks ahead.”
On social media, there has also been support for the company and the prospect of many highly paid jobs they hope to bring to the area.
James Ross, who is a regular walker and swimmer at the beach and lives in Culloden Moor, said there were dozens of people shocked by the sudden appearance of the fencing.
“They are horrified by what’s happened,” he added. “There has been absolutely no consultation. People can’t understand why there is any fencing on the east side of the channel. It just appeared almost overnight and stretches down below the high water mark.
Mr Ross said: “I’ve spoken to one of the owners and his attitude was he owns the land, the sea bed and doesn’t need to consult. It’s an appalling public relations gaffe and people are just outraged.
“Like everyone else I was very supportive of their plans and delighted that the yard was going to be brought back to life with the prospect of good jobs for many local people.
“But this part of the beach should not impact on the operations on the yard.
“Fence posts have been erected into the sea below high water mark but the wiring has not been attached yet. Anyone wanting to access the east side of the channel could go in with a pair of welly boots at low tide.
“There is also a gap left in the fence to the bothy on the Whiteness peninsula.”
A Highland Council spokesman said it was aware that the port authority was in the process of dredging the harbour area and moving material around the site to accommodate more dredge material onshore.
“These works fall outwith the direct scope of the planning permission and are authorised under the marine license – handled by Marine Scotland,” he added. “Highland Council is aware of the erection of this fence and is currently investigating whether the fencing would require planning permission.
“In addition, in our capacity as the access authority, a separate investigation is under way regarding public access rights to this area.”
Highland councillor Trish Robertson (Culloden and Ardersier) said: “I’m making enquiries about the legality of the fence. It’s going to be an industrial site and a balance will have to be struck.”
