Portgordon Harbour plans stride ahead as new feasibility study unveiled

PLANS to bring Portgordon Harbour into community ownership have taken a step forward with the unveiling of a new feasibility study.

Portgordon Community Trust (PCT) have announced that a new study, as well as a business plan and options appraisal on the future of harbour, is set to commence.

Following a competitive tendering exercise in October to identify a suitable consultant the trust has now secured grant funding for the study from the Scottish Land Fund, which supports communities to become more resilient and sustainable through the ownership and management of land and buildings and empower communities through asset ownership and strengthen their voices in the decisions that matter to them.

MKA Economics Ltd of Stirling have been appointed to carry out the harbour study, which should be completed by the end of July. Consultation with the community and other stakeholders will form part of the study and the outcomes and recommendations will be presented to the community later in 2024.

PCT chairman Derek Murray said: “The trust are delighted that a new updated study will now be undertaken looking at the future of the harbour.

"Several studies have been carried out in the past over a number of years, but this latest study will bring everything up to date and will also give the community another opportunity to share their views on the future of the harbour.

“We are very grateful to the Scottish Land Fund for their grant funding, and the trust are looking forward to working closely with the appointed consultants MKA Economics, who have extensive experience in this type of study”.

MKA Economics Director Mark Kummerer added: “MKA Economics is now formally on board to lead the independent appraisal of the feasibility, option appraisal and business case of securing Portgordon Harbour as a valuable community asset.

"We will be working closely with PCT, stakeholders and importantly the local community over the next six months. Our work will build on previous studies to help define a sustainable future for Portgordon Harbour. Further information will be presented at a series of meetings and events in 2024. For any further information on the study, please contact Leeanne Lowden at leeanne@mka-economics.co.uk"

PCT have continued to work closely in the last couple of years with the harbour owners, Crown Estate Scotland, through an agreed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The trust are now pleased to be commissioning a new and extensive feasibility study and options appraisal on the harbour, looking at the viability of the harbour and the preferred model for managing and maintaining it in the future.

The harbour has seen limited use in recent years, and the trust are keen to further enhance the harbour area following the successful redevelopment of the old Richmond Arms building and the development of the community garden.

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