Day of action highlights opposition to Moray Firth 'flow-park' proposals

Campaigners from Moray and the Highlands have taken their opposition to a green energy project on their doorsteps to the Scottish Parliament.

Fifty objectors to a proposed “flow-park” in the Moray Firth descended on Holyrood, furious that their communities could be impacted by the creation of giant anchor points close to the shoreline for storing wind turbine parts bound for offshore sites.

Given planning permission, fledgling London company Offshore Solutions Group (OSG) would use stretches of the seabed for “temporary” anchorage.

The demonstration preceded a parliamentary debate tabled by Conservative MSPs Douglas Ross and Tim Eagle, and independent MSP Fergus Ewing, expressing concerns over “the detrimental impact the plans would have on fishing, marine life, tourism and the future of the coastline being an area of conservation.”

Shadow rural affairs secretary and Buckie-based MSP Tim Eagle said: “The day of action underlined that our communities will not be silenced and I thank everyone who made the six-hour round trip to make their voices heard.”

He believed there had been “a marked change in the SNP’s response.”

He added: “While there were no promises, I hope ministers are finally starting to realise that this development should not go ahead.”

Hundreds of residents have objected to the plans, largely citing visual intrusion and perceived risk to the marine environment

OSG has previously rejected offers for media interviews and refused to attend a public meeting because of concern for the safety of its representatives.

It said an extensive environmental impact assessment “running over the next few years” would encompass wide-ranging consultation in line with a process agreed with the Marine Directorate.

A spokeswoman for the group said: “It includes an ongoing consultation with the fishing community, other users of the Moray Firth and a range of additional stakeholders.

“We understand and respect the concerns of specialists and the wider community’s desire for more information and are committed to providing as much information to all stakeholders as soon as is practicable.”

She added: “It is important to note that the investigation area is not the final development area. The project is in its early stages and is refined as it progresses.”