Consultation event for Scapa and Hatston offshore wind proposals

A public consultation event will take place in Orkney this week for people interested in finding out more about proposals for the Scapa Deep Water Quay and the Orkney Logistics Base at Hatston.

Both projects are being proposed on the back of the ScotWind leasing round, which will see substantial offshore wind developments to the West and East of Orkney.

If found through the planning process to be appropriate, the projects could allow Orkney to maximise the economic opportunities presented by offshore wind developments, creating jobs in the county and supporting a vibrant local supply chain economy.

The consultation events are part of a series of opportunities for local people and businesses to find out more and make their views known, prior to a planning application being submitted next year.

Further pre-application consultation events will take place in February.

The event takes place at the project offices at Kiln Corner, Burnmouth Road, Kirkwall between 14.00 and 19.00 on Thursday 1 December.

The proposed Scapa Deep Water Quay, at the Bay of Deepdale in Holm, could provide a  major hub for the offshore wind sector and would include 575m of quay at a water depth of 15m at quay edge, 20 hectares of laydown are and the provision of a further extension quay to a water depth of 20m. Proposals would involve the re-alignment of the existing road between Kirkwall and Holm

The proposal for the Hatston Logistics Base would also support the offshore wind sector and include a quay extension of 300m at 10m water depth, 7.5 hectares of prime quayside laydown area and a RoRo fixed ramp, boat lift with potential low/zero carbon ex-pipe fuel connection

Councillor David Dawson is Chair of the Council’s Harbours Sub-Committee. He said: “Orkney has a world-renowned reputation for leading innovation in energy and renewables.

"By expanding our existing harbours and marine assets, we aim to meet the needs of changing markets and position Orkney as a world leading maritime hub, open to new business and opportunities.

“The planning process is vital to our decision making around this – and key to the planning process are the views of people here in Orkney.

“Consultation events like these allow people to not only find out more about the project but also make their views know, ultimately shaping the final proposals that go in the planning application.  I’d encourage all to get involved.”

More information is available at www.orkneyharbours.com