The long-awaited and hitherto much-needed expansion of Aberdeen harbour has inched forward with the grant of two new licences from Marine Scotland.
The licences cover both construction and dredging operations associated with the project, and follow approval of Planning Permission in Principle from Aiberdeen Cooncil in May this year.
A Harbour Revision Order, which was laid in the Scottish Parliament on 28 October also remains to be approved by parliament before the development can proceed.
Colin Parker, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Harbour Board, said; “The award of this statutory approval marks an important milestone in the our expansion project and takes us one step closer to commencing construction of the new, expansive facilities.
“If final approval is given to the plans, the resulting development will help ensure Grampian remains the home of globally significant oil and gas industry supply chains and will anchor decommisioning activity in Scotland,
“I would like to thank colleagues, consultants and supporting organisations who have worked tirelessly for several years to achieve this important goal”.
A board spokesman added: “Once all permissions and consents have been granted, the final decision will be made by Aberdeen Harbour Board later in the year.”
Some (admittedly cynical) Aberdeen watchers have suggested that the harbour expansion development will – like the long-awaited new city ring-road bypass – only be completed when the pressing economic and infrastructure need for both has long passed.
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