Neart coalition issues RSPB plea

A newly-formed coalition of 29 supply chain companies that support the 450MW Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm off Scotland has appealed to the RSPB to “abandon” its ongoing legal action against the project’s consent.

The NNG Offshore Wind Farm Coalition says up to 600 jobs could be created during construction and operation of the Mainstream Renewable Power scheme “which is the only major infrastructure project that is ready to build in Scotland next year”.

Renewables supply chain companies can “ill afford further delays” with the project, the coalition said in an open letter to the RSPB.

The coalition called on the RSPB to accept a recent court decision that ruled out a Supreme Court hearing of its case against the consents for Neart, the 600MW Inch Cape and 1050MW Seagreen projects. 

The bird charity said on Tuesday it has applied directly to the Supreme Court in London to hear its case.

Scotia Supply Chain’s Alan Duncan, who is spokesman for the coalition, said there are “serious” economic, social and environmental “consequences” of “ignoring” court rulings that have reaffirmed the consents.

“Hundreds of families in communities across the east of Scotland will be directly affected should this project not go ahead. Highly skilled jobs, vital apprenticeships and the socio-economic benefits of this project are all at risk for the hard-pressed communities within the region,” he said.

“While we are sympathetic to the concerns of the RSPB about the planning process, this is about real people, real jobs and real environmental benefit.”

Companies involved in the coalition include 8.2 Aarufield, Atkins, BiFab, Butler Land Management, COWI, CG Global, CS Wind UK, Energy and Water Associates, Eyemouth Harbour Trust, Facilitating Change, Found Ocean, Global Energy Group, GeoSea, GD Geo, Houlder, James Fisher, Mainstream Renewable Power, Montrose Marine, Obelisk, Oceaneering, Partrac, Scotia Supply Chain, Searoc, Seaway Heavy Lifting, ST3 Offshore, Taylor Hopkinson Associates, Tymor Marine, Xero Energy and Young Planning and Energy Consenting.

Image: the Crown Estate