Concerns have been raised by shore walkers about industrial mess being left near an environmental site at Hunterston.
During last week’s Fairlie Community Council, villagers voiced disappointment that the area hasn’t been properly cleared, specially given its close proximity to the Southannan Sands SSSI area - a designated site of special scientific interest because of the exceptional abundance of marine life living in the sands and the exceptional diversity and abundance of the associated birdlife.
The area of concern is between the coal port and constructor’s yard. Photos illustrate the current scene of industrial dereliction with much in the way of corrugated roof sheeting, electrical cable trays, tyres, and miscellaneous pieces of metal plastic guttering left at the site. Concerns were also raised at the meeting by residents that the site boundary fence has not been maintained, and as a result, coal has escaped on to the foreshore. There is an outfall which has had a boom to prevent coal/oil escape from the site, but the boom has fragmented.
These sites have been designated as sites of national significance to function as a hub for energy technologies. It is recognised that the vast majority of the investment in the sites has come from the Government.
At present, an application has been made to North Ayrshire Council for a screening opinion to amend the planning consent to allow decommissioning of marine structures, oil industry structures, and obsolete vessels including construction of dock gates and enlargement of existing quay at the Hunterston Construction Yard.
However, one suggestion which has been put forward for the site is as a showcase for the solar energy technologies due to the good levels of irradiance for generation together with the low visual impact, which could bring investment, research, education and the potential development of other energy associated industries to the area.
Ron Gilchrist, a local ecologist, said “We are greatly encouraged at the prospect that we could have a solar farm and its associated businesses at Hunterston. It would be ideal for that environment, an idea neighbour for our community and would create much needed local jobs.”
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are those areas of land and water (to the seaward limits of local authority areas) that Scottish Natural Heritage considers to best represent our natural heritage - its diversity of plants, animals and habitats, rocks and landforms, or a combinations of such natural features. 
There have also been reports of fly-tipping at Hunterston, and Portencross in recent months.