Burgie resident organises Findhorn beach protest against Moray FLOW Park project
A villager who lives close to the proposed site of a huge offshore storage facility is calling for support for a beach protest on Saturday.
Burgie resident, Iain Findlay, objects to the Moray FLOW Park project which could see 18 kilometres of seabed off the Moray coast used for the temporary storage of wind turbine foundations and related structures.
Offshore Solutions Group (OSG) already has a two-year agreement with Crown Estate Scotland to carry out technical assessments and surveys in the area within three kilometres of Findhorn, Burghead and Nairn, as well as one kilometre from Culbin Sands.
Iain said: “Communities must stand up or the reason that so many of us choose to live here will be gone forever.
“Come to the event on Findhorn Beach at midday on Saturday, and help us write a clear message that the Moray coast is not for industrialisation to benefit people from distant boardrooms.”
Iain and his supporters plan to write a “clear message” in the sand on the north shore near the beach huts to the developers.
“Bring a rake to help draw the letters,” he said. “Bring a flask of tea and biscuits. Bring the whole family and help to fill in the message.
“We will be taking drone photos to share in advance of a public meeting at Forres Town Hall. There will be a lot of beach to cover before the tide comes in and we leave no trace.”
OSG suggest that the project could provide employment and investment in the area, and would be an important resource for Scotland’s offshore wind industry.
According to OSG’s website, the company is “on target” to start construction in 2027.
Iain claimed London-based OSG’s proposal will damage both the communities and environment of the coastline.
“The company hasn’t even deemed it necessary to contact our elected representatives,” he said. “There’s no clear benefit to anyone other than the developers and their deep-pocketed, distant investors. There is no clarity about impacts, positive or negative.
“If we don’t protect our sea life and communities, why should anyone else?”
Referring to the project as “environmental and social vandalism”, Iain also called for the community to lobby local councillors, MPs and MSPs.
“Communities across Scotland are being similarly threatened under the guise of ‘green transition’,” he added. “The transition must happen but we all have to be part of the solution.
“Hundreds of projects are already underway with little or no public consultation and with no apparent benefit to the population. The transition cannot succeed unless those who are most impacted are consulted.
“We cannot solve the climate crisis by accelerating the biodiversity crisis.”
Iain also implores local citizens to attend a public meeting at Forres Town Hall at 6pm on Tuesday, November 11.
“Let’s leave this company in no doubt that they are not wanted here,” he said. “Developers depend on communities feeling overwhelmed and disconsolate. However, we can resist this poorly conceived project and force the Scottish Government to ensure the country’s abundant renewable energy doesn’t go the same way as oil and gas, with the profits flowing south.
“The benefits should flow locally, not to London-based vultures who couldn’t point to Burgie on a map, and had no interest in Nairn, Findhorn or Burghead until they saw potential to enrich themselves and wealthy investors at the expense of the place we hold dear.”
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/stopthemorayfirthflowpark/