Global Energy gets go-ahead for new quay at Nigg
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A new quay and laydown area to service the offshore gas and renewables industries has been approved by Highland councillors.
Global Energy got the go-ahead for its plans to build the new facilities at its Nigg yard in Easter Ross.
The company says the east quay is needed because of a lack of suitable berths to service the demands of its North Sea clients, including increasing opportunities for the storage of renewable device components.
The new quay will occupy an area measuring 250 metres by 50 metres and be built on land 230 metres west of the Nigg Ferry Hotel. A large laydown area will also be built on lands of the former Dunskeath House.
Some 165,000 sq m of seabed sediment will be dredged as part of the project, with construction due to begin as early as October or November and last up to 10 months.
Despite the anticipated boost to the local economy, not everyone at this week’s planning committee was happy.
Black Isle councillor Craig Fraser raised concerns about noise and light pollution from Nigg Energy Park affecting Cromarty and called for developer contributions to offset the concerns felt by residents.
Planning officers said that no developer contributions – usually used to help pay for schools near residential developments – were required for this type of application.
Tain and Easter Ross councillor Alasdair Rhind came to the defence of Global, saying that the company has not just been good for the local area but had been “good neighbours” as well.
Some work is expected to take place during the night, but planners advised that high noise levels would be "short-lived and limited to day time hours".
