Douglas Ross hits out at SNP minister over Moray Firth FLOW-Park wind farm plans
MSP Douglas Ross has accused SNP minister Gillian Martin of “completely failing to grasp” the strength of local opposition to proposals for a floating wind turbine base project in the Moray Firth.
The Scottish Conservative leader raised the issue during portfolio questions at Holyrood on Thursday, describing the proposed FLOW-Park development as “outrageous” and “out of scale and character” with the local area.
The project - which aims to provide infrastructure for floating offshore wind farms - has faced criticism from some fishermen and coastal residents, who have been vocal in their concerns for the local fishing industry and marine environment.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Ross said one local fisherman had warned that the industry could be “finished for good” if the plans get the go ahead.
“I find it disgraceful that they were not properly consulted before these plans came to light,” he added.
In response, Ms Martin stressed that the FLOW-Park proposals are still at an “early stage” and that community feedback will be taken into account as part of the decision-making process.
However, Mr Ross said her remarks offered little reassurance to those who opposed to the plans.
“This was a deeply disappointing response from the SNP minister,” he added. “Gillian Martin completely failed to grasp the anger among local people in Moray, Nairn and across the Highlands to this proposal.
“Her answers will have left those opposed to these proposals without any sort of reassurance that the SNP are on top of this issue and they have previously seen the nationalist government ride roughshod over local views on projects that have been opposed locally.”
Mr Ross added that he would continue to oppose the project “at every turn.”