UPDATE: Protestors from the Moray region have made a significant impact at the Scottish Parliament, expressing their strong opposition to the controversial Moray Flow Park project. Around 32 demonstrators from Findhorn, Nairn, Burghead, and surrounding areas, joined by another 10 activists from Edinburgh, gathered outside Holyrood on October 18, 2023, just ahead of a crucial debate on the proposal by Offshore Solutions Group (OSG).
The protest, organized by the Moray Firth No to the Flow Park campaign, aimed to raise awareness about the perceived inadequacies in the planning process for the industrial storage facility off the Moray coast. Alastair Macdonald, an administrator for the campaign, noted the group’s enthusiasm: “Most of us had never been in the Scottish Parliament or involved in a demonstration before, but we soon found our voices with homemade placards and even a tambourine!”
Despite their efforts, the debate chamber witnessed an alarming emptying just before the discussions began. Macdonald remarked, “Ominously, the chamber emptied just beforehand, which shows the level of general engagement.” Only a few MSPs remained, including notable figures like Douglas Ross from the Conservatives and Richard Lochead from the SNP.
During the heated debate, MSPs pressed Gillian Martin, the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, to clarify why the Scottish Government has not paused the £1.83 million grant awarded to OSG. Critics point out that the decision was made without due diligence, particularly concerning OSG’s limited workforce, which includes only a couple of employees and a net capital of approximately £131,000.
Macdonald expressed frustration over the lack of public consultation and environmental assessments conducted prior to the grant’s approval. “This seems ludicrous and worrying,” he stated, although he acknowledged Martin’s sympathetic response towards the concerns raised by the Moray community.
The proposed Moray Flow Park development involves large floating platforms utilizing seabed areas for temporary anchorage. According to Scottish Enterprise, the fast-tracked plans aim to meet the Scottish Government’s ambitious 2028 offshore wind targets.
The protestors distributed informative leaflets detailing their concerns to MSPs, highlighting the need for greater transparency and community engagement. “Mr. Eagle distributed our leaflets to every MSP’s inbox,” said Macdonald, indicating a strategic effort to ensure their message reached all elected officials.
The Moray Firth No to the Flow Park campaign is gaining momentum, with an organized steering group working on future initiatives, including beach protests and fundraising events. As the community strengthens its resolve, Macdonald emphasized, “Next week our full committee will discuss the next steps.”
With the Moray Flow Park proposal stirring significant local concern, the outcome of this debate and subsequent actions from the Scottish Government will be closely monitored by both activists and the public. The situation remains fluid, and the campaigners are determined to continue their fight against what they perceive as a detrimental development for the Moray Firth region.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the Moray community rallies for their voices to be heard.
