Moves by a major private company to take over control part of of a vital waterway will not be supported by the Highland Council.
The Global Energy Group wants to create a private Harbour Authority just off its Nigg yard at the mouth of the Cromarty Firth. The Port of Cromarty Firth ( formerly the Cromarty Firth Port Authority CFPA), has vowed to fight the move.
Scottish Ministers will have to consider any application to establish a new harbour authority in terms of the requirements of the Harbours Act 1964. But the local authority is a statutory consultee.
Council leader Drew Hendry said "Highland Council remains committed to supporting large scale economic and employment growth opportunities across the Highlands and in the Cromarty Firth. The council recognises the important contribution that both the Port of Cromarty Firth and Global Energy Nigg Ltd make in delivering these opportunities.
"At this time however the council does not feel it is necessary to create a second statutory harbour authority within the confines of the Cromarty Firth. Rather, the Council wishes to see close collaboration between the Port of Cromarty Firth and Global Energy Nigg within the Cromarty Firth. It is for this reason that the Council has chosen not to support the Global Energy Harbour Revision Order."
He said that in the new year, with a view to securing the important long term contribution that both organisations make to the economy in the Cromarty Firth area, the council would consider extending its current Memorandum of Understanding with the Port of Cromarty Firth to include Global Energy Nigg Ltd."
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