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Highland Council planners recommend that proposal by Global Energy for new quay at Nigg Yard is given green light; councillors on north planning applications committee to make a decision on Tuesday


By Staff Reporter

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Global Energy Nigg yard. Picture: Gary Anthony. Image No..
Global Energy Nigg yard. Picture: Gary Anthony. Image No..

A MAJOR new quay at Nigg looks set to get the go ahead tomorrow (Tuesday).

Council planners are recommending the proposals be given the green light when they go before Highland Council’s north planning applications committee.

Proposed by Global Energy, the quay would 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 would also be built on lands of the former Dunskeath House.

Some 165,000 sq m of seabed sediment would need to be dredged. The quay is being proposed because of a lack of suitable berths to service Global Energy’s North Sea clients.

Nigg and Shandwick Community Council has not objected, but Cromarty and District Community Council is seeking conditions to mitigate potential evening and weekend noise, light pollution and any impact on the firth’s dolphins during construction. It is not otherwise opposing the plans.

If Highland councillors vote in favour of the plans, construction could begin as early as October or November and is expected to last up to 10 months.

Recommending approval, subject to conditions, council planners said: "The proposed development represents a significant opportunity for the existing operations at Nigg Yard to expand to allow Global Energy to increase its client base and facilitate the construction and offshore turbine component parts – this is an increasing sector in Highland.

"This in turn presents an economic boost for Ross-shire and indeed the wider Highland region. That said, a development of this magnitude will not be without its impacts which will largely arise during the construction phase and will mainly be concerned with noise impacts.

"Even with mitigation, noise levels at receptors close to the site will be significant, however these will be short-lived and limited to day time hours.

"This is acknowledged by Nigg Community Council. who are supportive of the proposed development and recognise that the applicant has taken all necessary steps to ensure impacts are mitigated as far as practicable.

"It is considered that [a] Community Liaison Group will play an important role in ensuring residents are informed of activities likely to result in the largest impacts ahead of time."


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