Hundreds voice fears over Moray Firth wind turbine storage plans at public meeting

A public meeting drew a crowd of more than 600 people amid concern about a green energy project that could impact a stretch of the Moray Firth.

Most gathered at the Universal Hall in Findhorn for the meeting, while others watched on a video link to Nairn’s community centre.

Residents from Nairn to Burghead and beyond voiced concerns about proposed anchors being installed for the temporary storage of offshore wind turbine parts.

The facilities could span 20 miles, close to Moray Firth beaches.

There was frustration that the London-based developer Offshore Solutions Group (OSG) opted not to attend the meeting because it was concerned about the safety of its representatives.

Meeting organiser and local MSP Tim Eagle promised to pursue the company.

He said: “They made a commitment to me on the very first meeting I had with them that they would answer questions.

“I’m going to be writing to them and say, ‘Here is the list of questions that you’ve missed – please come back to me with the answers’.

“OSG are going to have to turn up for the communities of Findhorn, Burghead, and Nairn, and they’re going to have to answer these directly, in person.”

It was some months before news of the proposal for the so-called “flowpark” became public knowledge, and residents say there was a lack of openness.

There’s concern for marine wildlife in a protected area, tourism-related businesses fear a loss of trade, and fishermen fear the position of the structures would block established safe routes in the event of a storm.

The public corporation Crown Estate Scotland, which owns half the nation’s foreshore, granted OSG an exclusivity agreement in April that allows the company two years to explore the area.

Speaking after the public meeting, its marine director Mike Spain said: “What came through loud and clear from a very well attended meeting was the absolute passion that people have for their area and for the environment and the need for them to engage fully with the process of consultation when that process kicks in.

“We’d actually encourage them to go through the appropriate channels, as they arise, to engage in that consultation.”

OSG declined to be interviewed.

It previously said information had been shared with relevant politicians and that it had maintained a “fully transparent dialogue” with stakeholders.