Where are the Hunterston jobs?

North Ayrshire Labour councillor Alex Gallagher has questioned how the anti-nuclear SNP propose to replace the substantial contribution to the local economy, provided by the loss of Hunterston ‘B’ Power Station in 2023, and questioned what the council were proposing to do now that Hunterston has lost its national development status which it has had in place since 1971.

In the national planning framework, produced by the Scottish Government, an energy hub for renewables such as the SSE test turbine facility, has been earmarked for Hunterston within the document.

Fairlie Community Council want more local jobs as a result of the new energy hub being proposed for Hunterston - and a visitor attraction has been suggested for the new wind turbine facility.

However, during a recent meeting at the Semple Centre in the village, which included Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson, acting Fairlie Community Council chairman John Riddell pointed out that that it was important that local jobs were targeted as a priority.

He received backing from secretary Rita Holmes who pointed out during their recent talks concerning the Western Link project being built at Hunterston, linking up with Wales, that Fairlie Community Council had requested local jobs.

However, following the construction of the development, there will be no employment for the local area, Mrs Holmes pointed out.

She added: “You have a situation where it is outsourcing and specialist people are required, sometimes as far away as Italy, and all over the place. We make a point at every meeting we have with different companies coming to the area of stressing the importance in bringing local jobs along with them.” Mr Riddell added: “We have raised the importance of local jobs and future development at the energy hub. This is something we are going to have to watch. There is no point in marketing Hunterston as an energy hub if there is not going to be local job opportunities. The likes of the HDVC link will have jobs concerning its construction, but after that, it will be left unmanned.” Fairlie Community Council stated that they are going to continue to lobby companies who are providing developments in Hunterston to provide job creation. One particular suggestion highlighted by villager Ron Cooper was to have a visitor centre at the new test turbine facility as 200m turbines have been built but have yet to begin operating.

Villager Ron Cooper said: “The wind turbines could be made into a visitor attraction as you are close to the castle at Portencross, so it could be part of the local tourism trail.” MSP Kenneth Gibson said that the Scottish Government has successfully phased out a coal power station at Hunterston in the new National Planning Framework, but with Hunterston ‘B’ set to close within ten years, the community council want to see more action in terms of job recreation in the area.

At the North Ayrshire Council full meeting during the past week. Cllr. Gallagher asked about the financial and economic contribution to North Ayrshire of Hunterston ‘A’ and ‘B’, and asked ‘How does the SNP administration propose to replace these contributions when they cease to support the local economy?” Mrs Marie Burns, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration. responded: “Hunterston B employs around 530 staff and 180 full time contractors, It is estimated that the plant provides an annual benefit to the local economy of up to £40m. Once the plant ceases to operate in 2023, and enters the decommissioning phase, a number of jobs will be retained providing continued benefit to the local economy for a number of years. The completition of the decommissioning phase at Hunterston ‘A’ which is estimated to result in a net loss of between 300 and 330 jobs along with £29 million in economic activity, and £11m in GVA.” However, Cllr. Gallagher said that the SNP’s proposals did not stand up, and referring to both ‘A’ and ‘B’ stations, said: “There is not a long term strategy. How are you going to replace 1000 jobs? It is not a strategy at all.” Cllr. Marshall said: “Hear, hear.” Cllr. Gallagher believed that both nuclear power sites at Hunterston brought in upwards of £80m-£100m to the local economy. Last year, North Ayrshire Council voted to support the inclusion of new nuclear in the National Development Plan in their submission to central government.

Mrs Burns stated that she was disappointed that Cllr. Gallagher continued to raise the prospect of new nuclear power, as ‘it is not something that the council can do anything about as the SNP won the national elections with a huge majority based on a policy of no new nuclear power’. However, Cllr. Burns added her own disappointment that Hunterston was not awarded national development status, and said that the completion of a competitive advantage study for the wider Hunterston area would include the potential for uses such as energy production, renewables, manufacturing, bulk imports and maritime decommissioning.

North Ayrshire Labour councillor Alex Gallagher has questioned how the anti-nuclear SNP propose to replace the substantial contribution to the local economy, provided by the loss of Hunterston ‘B’ Power Station in 2023, and questioned what the council were proposing to do now that Hunterston has lost its national development status which it has had in place since 1971.

In the national planning framework, produced by the Scottish Government, an energy hub for renewables such as the SSE test turbine facility, has been earmarked for Hunterston within the document.

Fairlie Community Council want more local jobs as a result of the new energy hub being proposed for Hunterston - and a visitor attraction has been suggested for the new wind turbine facility.

However, during a recent meeting at the Semple Centre in the village, which included Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson, acting Fairlie Community Council chairman John Riddell pointed out that that it was important that local jobs were targeted as a priority.

He received backing from secretary Rita Holmes who pointed out during their recent talks concerning the Western Link project being built at Hunterston, linking up with Wales, that Fairlie Community Council had requested local jobs.

However, following the construction of the development, there will be no employment for the local area, Mrs Holmes pointed out.

She added: “You have a situation where it is outsourcing and specialist people are required, sometimes as far away as Italy, and all over the place. We make a point at every meeting we have with different companies coming to the area of stressing the importance in bringing local jobs along with them.” Mr Riddell added: “We have raised the importance of local jobs and future development at the energy hub. This is something we are going to have to watch. There is no point in marketing Hunterston as an energy hub if there is not going to be local job opportunities. The likes of the HDVC link will have jobs concerning its construction, but after that, it will be left unmanned.” Fairlie Community Council stated that they are going to continue to lobby companies who are providing developments in Hunterston to provide job creation. One particular suggestion highlighted by villager Ron Cooper was to have a visitor centre at the new test turbine facility as 200m turbines have been built but have yet to begin operating.

Villager Ron Cooper said: “The wind turbines could be made into a visitor attraction as you are close to the castle at Portencross, so it could be part of the local tourism trail.” MSP Kenneth Gibson said that the Scottish Government has successfully phased out a coal power station at Hunterston in the new National Planning Framework, but with Hunterston ‘B’ set to close within ten years, the community council want to see more action in terms of job recreation in the area.

At the North Ayrshire Council full meeting during the past week. Cllr. Gallagher asked about the financial and economic contribution to North Ayrshire of Hunterston ‘A’ and ‘B’, and asked ‘How does the SNP administration propose to replace these contributions when they cease to support the local economy?” Mrs Marie Burns, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration. responded: “Hunterston B employs around 530 staff and 180 full time contractors, It is estimated that the plant provides an annual benefit to the local economy of up to £40m. Once the plant ceases to operate in 2023, and enters the decommissioning phase, a number of jobs will be retained providing continued benefit to the local economy for a number of years. The completition of the decommissioning phase at Hunterston ‘A’ which is estimated to result in a net loss of between 300 and 330 jobs along with £29 million in economic activity, and £11m in GVA.” However, Cllr. Gallagher said that the SNP’s proposals did not stand up, and referring to both ‘A’ and ‘B’ stations, said: “There is not a long term strategy. How are you going to replace 1000 jobs? It is not a strategy at all.” Cllr. Marshall said: “Hear, hear.” Cllr. Gallagher believed that both nuclear power sites at Hunterston brought in upwards of £80m-£100m to the local economy. Last year, North Ayrshire Council voted to support the inclusion of new nuclear in the National Development Plan in their submission to central government.

Mrs Burns stated that she was disappointed that Cllr. Gallagher continued to raise the prospect of new nuclear power, as ‘it is not something that the council can do anything about as the SNP won the national elections with a huge majority based on a policy of no new nuclear power’. However, Cllr. Burns added her own disappointment that Hunterston was not awarded national development status, and said that the completion of a competitive advantage study for the wider Hunterston area would include the potential for uses such as energy production, renewables, manufacturing, bulk imports and maritime decommissioning.