Hunterston PARC dry dock plans could create 50 new jobs

And if they get the backing of North Ayrshire Council, work on the new facility is likely to start some time during 2024 - and to be completed two years later.

Those are the predictions of Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson after he attended a public consultation into the plans in Fairlie this week.

Mr Gibson also says that the proposed new facility should create around 50 jobs once it is up and running.

The Peel Ports proposals, if granted, will see the existing dry dock at Hunterston demolished and filled in, and a new quay built on the western side of the site.

At the new quay a construction platform is planned to be built, to service the offshore renewables sector.

Concern had previously been raised at a perceived lack of detail on the plans, but Mr Gibson says this week's consultation event in Fairlie gave a valuable insight into the proposed development.

Mr Gibson said: " I attended a consultation in Fairlie Village Hall to discuss the above with the Clydeport Operations Ltd project team.

MSP Kenneth Gibson will raise matter with NAC Chief Executive Craig Hatton (Image: Kenneth Gibson MSP)

"The aim is to fill in the dry dock at Hunterston PARC [Port and Resource Campus] and build a platform to enable the servicing of vessels which work in offshore renewables.

"It is still early days, as they put it. Formal plans are likely to be submitted in January, with construction – if approved – commencing late next year and the platform becoming operational in 2026."

An environmental impact assessment will be undertaken as part of the process.

As yet the number of jobs in construction and on the site, and the level of investment is yet to be clarified but will be “significant".

The marine yard at Hunterston has been described by Scottish Development International - the international arm of Scotland's enterprise agencies - as a 'shovel ready project'.

Their website states: "Focusing on the modernisation of a sizeable dry dock located next to a deep-water port, Hunterston Marine Yard will provide the capacity required for the UK’s fixed and floating wind farm industry. 

"Floating offshore wind is expected to play a significant role in the growth of renewable energy. Scotland is now at the forefront of the development of the new technology for floating assets that can be used in deep-water seas to generate energy from wind.

"The marine yard forms part of the wider Hunterston Port and Resource Centre (PARC) and is set over 88 acres of land.

"It boasts one of Europe’s largest dry docks as well as a quay facility.

"Decommissioning presents significant opportunities for innovation, cost reduction and development of UK skills and capability.

"Hunterston PARC also has many advantages over other sites used for decommissioning vessels and oil and gas structures in the UK.

"Its combination of deep-water, large drydock, rail, road and sea access, extensive available development land, and grid connections make it unique as a national infrastructure asset."

Peel Ports was heavily criticised over plans, revealed in 2018, to set up an oil rig decommissioning site at Hunterston without an environmental impact assessment.

But Mr Gibson says he believes the company's move to focus on renewables puts it on the right track.

"Peel Ports have learnt from the past," he said, "and they are doing an environmental impact assessment, so Peel Ports are taking that on board from a public confidence perspective. 

"It will probably bring around 50 jobs.

"They have had pre-planning discussions with North Ayrshire Council, and I will be raising the matter with North Ayrshire Council chief executive Craig Hatton, who I am having a meeting with this week."