How will the Energy Industry impact Nairn?
Despite the variety of bad news at the end of this year, which is likely to negatively impact the development of Nairn, there remains an undercurrent that could yet bring a boost to the town.
The problem, as always, is that any such development could b as damaging in parts as it is a benefit.
I’ll finish this year with something to think about – the subject of energy development, and it’s possible impact on Nairn.
1. The Highlands overall has been highlighted as a major area for the development of renewal energy, with the possibility of exporting the excess for sale across the rest of the UK and Europe.
2. Perhaps more directly for Nairn, there are also moves towards oil and gas exploration in the Moray Firth itself.
It’s no surprise therefore that the dualling of the A9, a new trunk road from the A9 to the A96, dualling the A96 to Nairn, a possible station at Inverness Airport, and providing a Nairn bypass, all feature in the SNP’s transport review.
I think it’s not existing domestic need that will drive such developments, as much as the realisation that to invest in Scotland’s energy future requires investment in existing transport infrastructure.
That means improving links between Inverness and the Central Belt cities, not least road, rail and air – as well as removing bottlenecks along the A96 connecting Inverness with Aberdeen’s oil interests.
The problem is that while a Nairn bypass would be welcome, among the other major transport improvements suggested, the question really worth asking is “at what price?”.
That is not meant to diminish the need for such improvements, as much moot a general awareness of what could be coming, so that Nairn’s residents can be prepared, rather than surprised.
Much of the renewal energy interests may not impact Nairn’s development directly, and are more likely to be routed through a North-South links starting at Inverness.
However, oil and gas exploration in the Moray Firth brings with it images of oil platforms – something we’re more used to seeing in Cromaty Firth – with the exception that these would be static, and standing in line along the Moray Firth.
While such industries may look to pipe into Nigg for distribution, there is likely to be a knock on effect on Nairn in terms of support industries. And pollution.
If oil and/or gas is found in the Moray Firth, this is necessarily going to present an impetus for economic development in the area that goes well beyond transport links.
The big question is the impact of such industry on the identity of Nairn as a tourist centre.
After all, we’ve already seen councillor plans for Nairn’s retail development set up, torn down, scuppered.
So if – as is much needed – we were to see any further plans for the development of Nairn in terms of retail and tourism, these need to be balanced with an awareness of possible energy industries around the region.
Some example questions:
1. Is it acceptable for oil and gas exploration to take place, if the result is the over-turning of the Moray Coast as a tourist centre into an industrial centre?
2. What impact will any energy developments around the area have in terms of pollution?
3. Is Nairn able and prepared to develop as both a town and destination in the event of any such industrial developments?
4. How accomodating can Nairn be to industry, retail, and tourism? Can it really expect to balance all three?
5. If oil, pas, and renewal developments bypass Nairn, how would Nairn ensure its regional importance as an independent town?
I’m not saying these are either the best or more important questions – as much as a range of questions need to be considered, asked, and answered, relating to the development of the energy industry both locally and across the Highlands.
If Nairn is going to have any kind of plan for long-term development, we fail to ask these at our cost.
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Brian
I fully understand your concern for the area as it is a beautiful area.
However as all around here know in the seventies to nineties Nairn was booming.
There were up to 4000 men working at McDermott’s yard at Ardersier.
All the hotels thrived the town was booming.
Hotels that most youngsters and new comers have never even heard of like The Highland the Royal, the Royal marine, the Elden House, the Doo Chalet, the Hermitage to name a few, were all booming.
They were full of transient workers and tourists alike.
With full rooms and full bars came more entertainment, on top of this came holiday makers because Nairn was lively topped up by families visiting the men working at Ardersier.
Nairn then had nightlife there were places for the youngsters to go the Shore in Marty’s the town was a fun place to be.
Now what do we have no night life just a couple of bars in the centre that are full of a huge range of people and it ends up with fights and crowds beyond belief at closing time.
I have in the past tried to get planning for a club in Nairn but the Old high street council crew always say no.
So yes we have to move with the times and yes Nairn could handle the influx.
As for pollution being in the industry I can assure you we are heavily regulated and pollution is not tolerated.
But I must agree the view over the firth will never look as picturesque with a few platforms on the horizon but I think it will be a small price to pay for the rejuvenation of Nairn.
One last point the Dolphins I have spent many years on Rigs round the world and I have hundreds of photos of Dolphins all taken from production, rigs Drilling rigs and Seismic vessels.
They seem to thrive and play around all the structures feeding on all the fish that accumulate around the structures and their associated no fishing Zones
So I say full speed ahead.