Cromarty Rising

We’ve talk a bit about the maximum credible oil spill – all the consultees picked up on the fact that 1tonne of oil being lost as worst case scenario is nothing short of ridiculous. We would go as far as to say its been put in downplay the impact of an oil spill – effective […]

You may have missed this article in the P&J on Christmas Eve – https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/business/north-of-scotland/1123772/global-threatens-to-take-trust-port-to-court-over-new-rates/ It tells the story about Global threatening court action over price hikes in port charges. It’s moving off topic for us, but that’s what oil leaks is about. This part is interesting: Mr MacGregor said he believed that the energy park and […]

In oil leak 25 we mentioned that Marine Scotland have so far, said nothing, and indeed this was the subject of a complaint signed by five Highland Councillors – it took Marine Scotland 16 weeks to respond to the complaint and avoiding the issue completely. You can read the complaint HERE. You can read the […]

We came across an interesting article in Sunday Herald and also expanded on at the Ferret. It concerned a plea from an independent Shetland Councillor on behalf of coastal communities for a multi-million pound compensation fund for environmental damage from oil spills. Topical. The Ferret quoted the councillor concerned as saying: “Victims of marine oil pollution often have […]

A brief one tonight, it is Christmas after all! We have managed to obtain the  scope for the Appropriate Assessment – below is SNH advice provided to Intertek. It’s a tall order to deliver – even if the 4 shallow water anchorages are dropped and only 18a is taken forward (which is the latest rumour […]

The map becomes ever more red Cullen and Deskford are opposed, so are Auldearn – welcome aboard both. Only Invergordon is in favour…

Well, this is going to be a short oil leak because Marine Scotland didn’t say a thing.  They are an arm of the Scottish Government. They are the mechanism for consultation with the Scottish Government. Who in the Scottish Government told them to not to respond? Why were they told not to respond? Who got to […]

The Highland Council response was a touch more sanguine than other consultees but none the less useful. You can read it HERE. The issue did not go to the full council but was discussed at the Planning, Development & Infrastructure (PDI) Committee a week after the deadline – it had been agreed with the MCA that the […]

You can read RSPB Scotland’s full response HERE. But they kind of get to the point on page 1 of their 22 page submission: RSPB Scotland objects to CFPA’s application in its current form….. Hmmm……another statutory consulted that doesn’t like the CFPA’s plans? Some of their highlights: There is no oil spill risk-assessment: consequently, it is impossible […]

Last night SNH’s response to the initial consultation, tonight, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). You can read their full response HERE. SEPA looked at the “potential releases to the environment and their consequences” stating that SNH were  the lead authority on designated sites and that SEPA will generally not comment on potential impacts on […]