The first stage of public consultation over the redevelopment of the former Nigg oil yard generated 23 responses and a broad consensus that the complex should be redeveloped.

The redevelopment will be in accordance with the options being promoted over the next 15-20 years - namely for developments in the oil and gas sectors and for the energy and renewables sectors.

Support for this approach in the Nigg Development Masterplan was forthcoming across a wide spectrum of respondents including MSPs, the Cromarty Firth Port Authority and potential developers from the decommissioning and renewables sectors.

In a report to the Planning Environmental and Development Committee being held on Wednesday 18 March, the Director of Planning and Development, members are advised of the positive response to the consultation, which took place between early December of last year and mid February.

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Concerns were expressed by environmental agencies, environmental groups and local residents about the potential negative consequences of redevelopment on the natural heritage environment.

These concerns will be addressed through the preparation of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental Report which will also be consulted upon. The SEA and Environmental Report will inform the final Development Masterplan of the environmental consequences arising from the proposed land-uses and the mitigation measures that are required.

The Masterplan is intended to set out the land-use planning framework for the former Nigg Fabrication Yard and adjacent land and will, in due course, be adopted by the Council as Supplementary Planning Guidance for use in the assessment of future planning applications.

The Development Masterplan provides a 15-20 year strategic framework of appropriate uses to be accommodated on the site and it will be used by the Council to underpin Compulsory Purchase order procedures should the Council require to use these as a last resort to bring the Nigg complex back into positive economic use.

Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of the PED Committee said: "We are pleased with the positive responses to the masterplan and will be incorporating a number of suggestions into the revised draft. At this difficult economic time there is significant wealth-creating opportunity at Nigg and we are determined to unlock this for the benefit of the area."

(GK/JM)