Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Hunterston : New moves are planned

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated 28th January 1972

HUNTERSTON : NEW MOVES ARE PLANNED

A Committee have been set up by Ayr County Council to consider what action the council might take to promote major industrial development - whether an oil refinery or some other industry able to exploit the deep water facilities available at Portencross and Hunterston - on an appropriate inland site in North Ayrshire.

The committee have been set up after the planning committee had considered a passage in the report on the Hunterston Inquiry which stated that the prospects of attracting oil-based and other associated industries would be enhanced if a refinery could be located on an inland site having adjoining land capable of being acceptably developed for such industries.
If this could be done,continue the report, the establishment at Portencross of an associated marine terminal alone would be justified.

The Secretary of State's decision letter said : "The Secretary of State is not, however, to be taken as accepting that the planning considerations which argue against the immediate development of an oil refinery at Portencross will always be valid or that these exclude an oil refinery on an inland site served by an oil terminal (with suitable storage facilities) at Portencross.

Similar consideration of the most suitable industrial development for the area is also being given by the private firm Hunterston Development Company Ltd. which has Government backing. The company have employed an international firm of consultants to conduct a survey of the prospects, and it is hoped that this survey may be in the hands of the company by the autumn.

The North Ayrshire Coastal Development Committee, in a statement issued this week, say that one phase of their work having been completed, they are "clearing the decks" for their successors to carry on the struggle for better planning and development in North Ayrshire.
For financial and technical reasons it was necessary for the original committee to wind up its activities. In consequence the balance of funds remaining at credit in the bank has been transferred into the names of trustees to meet outstanding liabilities. These trustees are the chairman, Mr. T. C. A. Hutchison, the finance convenor Mr. A. D. Cameron and the honorary treasurer Mr. A. W. McNicoll.

After all liabilities have been met, any remaining balance of funds will be dealt with at their discretion but in conformity with the intention of those from whom donations have been received. The trustees have agreed that when all outstanding liabilities have been met they will publish a statement of their intromissions and the disposition of any remaining balance.

Provision has been made for the estimated expense of the committee representation at a Parliamentary inquiry which may be held into the Clyde Port Authority's Draft Parliamentary Order regarding an ore terminal at Fairlie and in connection with which the committee and others submitted petitions.

REMIT

The NACDC originated in 1968 at a public meeting in Largs. A remit was given to it to promote thinking towards wider and better planning, to investigate the merits of the proposed industrial developments in the area and if necessary to propose alternatives, and to take part in any public inquiry which might be held. Money raised totaled over ?13,500.

After the longest public inquiry in the country's history, the findings were in favour of all but one of the committee's submissions.

A public meeting will be held in West Kilbride in March to discuss what action may be taken in the future.

The Scottish Landowners' Federation under the chairmanship of the Duke of Atholl have said they welcome the proposals presented in Oceanspan 11 - the plan to make the Forth/Clyde corridor a land bridge betwen Europe and the rest of the world.
The Duke of Atholl said : "We support Oceanspan 11 in so far as we consider the plans as detailed will make a large contribution to the economy of Scotland. I particularly like the proposal for the preservation of the amenity of the Clyde by limiting the area of development along this attractive coastline."