CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after forcing a controversial bid for an oil rig decommission site at Hunterston to undergo a full expert green study.


Marine Scotland has made an eleventh hour decision to order a full environmental impact assessment on the proposal for the sprawling site.
Peel Ports want to use it to take old rigs apart but the plan has been opposed by protesters who have fought long and hard demanding a full probe on the idea, citing wildlife fears for the safety of dolphins and porpoises.
The ruling comes despite North Ayrshire Council previously saying that no such assessment was necessary.
A Marine Scotland report stated: "The River Clyde is home to resident populations of harbour porpoise and common dolphins. 
"It is likely that these European protected species will be disturbed by the underwater noise generated, and mitigation required. 
"The dredging activities may also have significant effects on the mussel reef which supports a native oyster bed within the Southannan Sands site of special scientific interest (SSSI)."
Campaigners have described the announcement as 'brilliant news but also a bit embarrassing for North Ayrshire Council'.
Independent councillor Ian Murdoch said: "I am very happy that an assessment has been granted.
"It is great credit to the Friends of Firth of Clyde campaign including Caroline Briggs, Claire Baguely and David Nairn.
"I have asked around 40 questions at North Ayrshire Council meetings, and have continually pressed for a full assessment to take place.
"Common sense has prevailed."
Green MSP Ross Greer hailed the decision as 'a huge victory for our campaign to protect Southannan Sands SSSI from tonnes of dredging immediately beside it'.
Fairlie community councillor David Telford labelled the ruling a 'direct contradiction of planning and legal officers' and added that it 'unambiguously confirms the views of the general public and the north coast community councils'.
But Cllr Tom Marshall, chair of the planning committee, defended the local authority and says he is confused about Marine Scotland's position.
He said: "Basically the planning committee agreed to the application without an assessment because in 2017 Marine Scotland said that an assessment was not required. 
"The question is why has Marine Scotland changed its original view?
"Last year, Scottish ministers stated that the process undertaken by the council and Marine Scotland in relation to an assessment followed due process.
"It may be that since then the project requires a greater degree of dredging and of construction rather than refurbishment of the jetty.
"I am quite happy that the planning and legal officers were correct based on what they knew at the time, and equally happy that Marine Scotland have now changed their minds based on the current information."
Labour councillor Alex Gallagher added: "The latest decision does not run in contradiction of the earlier NAC decision. 
"It is for a separate licence, issued and authorised by a different body entirely."
A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson told the News: "Planning permission is required for works on land, above low water mark. 
"Marine Scotland consent is required for works at sea, below high water mark.
"Marine Scotland list significant impacts which resulted in their decision to require an assessment. 
"These relate to the impacts of marine works, namely the impact of dredging, mussels and oysters and the acoustic impact on marine mammals. 
"These relate solely to the offshore marine works, not the works on the land which were the subject of the planning permission. 
"Therefore the factors which resulted in Marine Scotland requiring an assessment do not apply to the planning application.
“Whilst Marine Scotland previously agreed that an assessment was not required, they now feel there is a need for assessment for the marine aspects under their control.
"This is a different issue and clear that the two regulatory processes are separate."
Peel Ports said they acknowledged the decision from Marine Scotland.
The company added: "At this stage we are considering the implications, as we focus on the wider opportunities identified in the Hunterston Parc masterplan.”