URGENT UPDATE: Protests erupted at the Scottish Parliament yesterday as local campaigners voiced their opposition to the controversial Moray Flow Park, proposed by Offshore Solutions Group (OSG). A group of 32 protesters from Findhorn, Nairn, Burghead, and surrounding areas, alongside another 10 from Edinburgh, gathered outside Holyrood just hours before a critical debate regarding the project.
The demonstrators, equipped with homemade placards and banners, aimed to draw attention to their concerns over OSG’s plans to establish an industrial storage facility off the Moray coast. Alastair Macdonald, an administrator for Moray Firth No to the Flow Park, stated, “It was a great experience for us, many of whom had never participated in a demonstration before. Our presence was significant, and we hope it resonated with the MSPs.”
As the debate commenced, however, the atmosphere shifted. Macdonald noted that the chamber emptied just before the discussion began, indicating a troubling lack of engagement. Only one representative from each political party remained to hear the concerns of their constituents.
During the debate, speeches were delivered by key figures including Douglas Ross (Conservatives), Richard Lochead (SNP), Rhoda Grant (Labour), and Ariane Burgess (Greens). They pressed Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, Gillian Martin, to explain the rationale behind the £1.83 million grant awarded to OSG, a company with very limited resources and no prior public consultation or environmental assessment.
“This situation seems ludicrous and worrying,” Macdonald expressed. “The government appears unable to halt funding without a formal application, which raises serious concerns about due diligence.” He added that OSG’s refusal to engage with the public further complicates matters.
The protestors distributed four-page leaflets outlining their concerns to MSPs, a move that Ross actively supported by ensuring the materials reached every representative’s inbox. Despite the chamber’s emptiness, the campaign is gaining momentum. Macdonald emphasized that the Moray Firth No to the Flow Park campaign is becoming increasingly organized, with plans for more protests and community engagement set to be discussed in their upcoming committee meeting.
With Scottish Government targets for offshore wind set for 2028, OSG’s proposed development aims to utilize seabed areas as temporary anchorage for foundation base units. Scottish Enterprise has fast-tracked funding for this initiative, but the community remains skeptical and fearful of its implications.
The protest has highlighted the urgent need for public discourse regarding environmental impacts and community involvement in such significant developments. With the Moray Firth No to the Flow campaign poised to escalate their efforts, all eyes will be on the Scottish Parliament for future debates and decisions regarding the Moray Flow Park.
Stay tuned as this developing story unfolds, with local voices demanding accountability and transparency in the decision-making process that affects their community.
