Consultation Event for Faray Slipway and Landing Jetty

Orkney Islands Council is holding a consultation event next week (Thursday 4 March 2021) on proposals to install a new extended slipway and landing jetty at the south end of Faray, in the North Isles.

The Council recently held pre-application consultation for a proposed six-turbine council-owned wind farm in Faray. The project is part of the wider ‘Orkney’s Community Wind Farm Project’ which also includes proposed developments at Quanterness in St Ola and at Wee Fea in Hoy.

With the existing slipway to the island in a dilapidated condition, improved access to the island would be required for any future development, as well as for general ongoing access.  A landing jetty would also be required for the delivery of large components.

An Environmental Impact Assessment for the Faray project will cover both the wind farm proposals and the extended slipway/landing jetty. However, as the marine structures are below mean high-water spring, a Marine Licence Application has to be submitted to Marine Scotland for the structures – which requires a separate pre-application consultation process.

The online event takes place on 4 March 2021 between 16:00 and 19:00. Joining instructions will be available at www.orkney.gov.uk/FarayMarine. The event is being held online due to ongoing public gathering restrictions.

The event provides an opportunity for members of the public and interested parties to provide feedback to the project team in advance of a Marine Licence Application being submitted. The presentation will cover a description of the proposals as well as information on the potential impacts that have been taken into consideration. Full project information is available at www.orkney.gov.uk/FarayMarine.

Persons wishing to provide comments on the proposed extended slipway and landing jetty can submit these through:
•    The online feedback form at www.orkney.gov.uk/FarayMarine
•    By email to kirsty.groundwater@orkney.gov.uk
•    By phone to 07818508323
•    By post to Kirsty Groundwater, Project Officer, Orkney Islands Council, Town House, Stromness, KW16 3AA

All comments relating to the proposal should be received no later than 18 March 2021.

It’s important to note that this is the pre-application stage of the proposed development. Comments made to Orkney Islands Council are not representations to Marine Scotland on a Marine Licence application. If Orkney Islands Council makes an application for a Marine Licence for these activities, there will be a separate opportunity for representations to be made to Marine Scotland on the application.