Yacht berth numbers and facilities will increase considerably and there will be extra berthing facilities for small cruise ships, capitalising on the opportunity for Inverness to host maritime events and on the booming cruise market.

The harbour's capability will also be enhanced to export Highland produce and import freight, to handle more of the growing trade with Scandinavia and the Baltic and, through a new container feeder service and, eventually, a roll-on roll-off service, potentially removing 800,000 lorry miles a year from the roads.

The redevelopment has been undertaken in a sustainable way. The reclamation of around 10 hectares of land from the existing shoreline at the mouth of the River Ness used material from an already scheduled dredge of the river and imported sources. Inverness Harbour has also worked with environmental experts and regulators to safeguard the Moray Firth dolphin population.

But with the port already a busy, 24-hour operation, its expansion illustrates the increasing competition for use of Scotland's seas — pressures on the marine environment which can be seen, too, in the debate about oil and gas exploration in the Moray Firth, in the growth of offshore renewable energy and in the continuing development of fish farming.

In response, the Scottish Government is planning a Marine Bill to change the management and legislative framework, with the objective of streamlining approval for economic activity, while continuing to protect wildlife and the environment. A new organisation, Marine Scotland, would be created to champion the seas, draw up the first National Marine Plan, and provide better integrated and simplified licensing. New Scottish Marine Regions — responsible for similar areas as existing voluntary coalitions like the Moray Firth Partnership — would develop regional plans. Conservation for marine wildlife would be improved and a marine science strategy would be developed.

In the paper for the Scottish Government which I have submitted on behalf of members, SCDI has supported the objectives of the Bill, but raised concerns about a lack of clarity in responsibilities which runs the risk of increasing the burden of regulation on businesses. Members are also worried about unclear transition arrangements and a lack of resources. SCDI has argued for strong influence for key economic interests in the new planning system, that Marine Scotland should, as far as possible, act as a "one stop shop"' for businesses and for robust mechanisms to resolve any potential conflicts of use.

There is huge economic potential in Scotland's seas which can help to power Scotland's economic recovery. Inverness Harbour is a great, if sometimes under-appreciated, asset for the Highlands, and its plans for an upmarket hotel, restaurant, coffee shops and specialist retail could be an exciting new phase in the city's success story. The Marine Bill must help to deliver increasing sustainable economic development here and for all our coastal communities.

Business News - only in Tuesday's Courier
Fundraiser aims for £600k in first year
Help to fight the credit crunch
Ex-FBI man to give talk on security
Developer on award shortlist  

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---