Port at centre of Chinese investment row to be expanded
HaventusA former oil and gas fabrication yard at the centre of a row over Chinese investment has secured permission to expand the site.
Ardersier Port, near Nairn, is being redeveloped as a hub for the renewable energy sector.
Last week, Chinese renewable energy company Ming Yang said its plans to open a £1.5bn wind turbine manufacturing plant at the site had been blocked by the UK government.
On Wednesday, Highland Council's south planning applications committee approved an extension of the port.
The planning consent also allows Ardersier Port Ltd to continue its current operations at the site on the Moray Firth.
These include demolition work, construction of a quay and offices and stockpiling of material dredged from the nearby seabed.
The committee's approval was subject to conditions, including requirements around plans to manage habitats and construction traffic.
Also that measures are put in place to mitigate any disruption caused by noise from the port, along with a limit on the height of spoils - large mounds of earth or sand.
The port's owner, Haventus, welcomed the councillors' decision.
A spokesperson said: "This marks the critical next step in enabling the facility to become one of the largest dedicated offshore wind facilities in Europe, and we remain committed to providing a critical element of the offshore wind sector supply chain and contributing to the UK's clean energy goals."
Ming Yang announced its plans last year for the manufacturing plant and creation of 1,500 jobs.
Last week, the UK government said the turbines from the facility would not be suitable for UK offshore wind projects and it could not support their use.
But the Scottish government criticised the time it took to reach a decision and warned it would have "far-reaching consequences".
Ming Yang said it would continue to engage with developers and the UK government.
Chief executive Horatio Evers said: "We remain motivated to continue developing options in the UK and across Europe."