Port’s future at stake if dredging licence lost

Bid to continue disposal of dredged material at Lunan Bay site submitted to allow time for studies

Montrose Port Authority (MPA) has warned it must be able to continue dumping dredged material around Lunan Bay “if the port is to remain operational”.

Marine Scotland decided not to renew its licence in September, prompting concerns over the potential closure of deep-water berths to freight and decommissioning traffic at the facility.

The regulatory body refused the application as it considered there to be other practicable uses such as nourishment of Montrose Bay, which is retreating by up to two metres per year.

The Scottish Government said the decision was based on how the material was being disposed of, rather than the dredging itself.

A wave of political posturing engulfed the dredging licence row and North East Scotland Conservative MSP Liam Kerr warned of “economic and social catastrophe” and called on First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to intervene.

Marine Scotland arranged to meet with MPA to discuss the licence application in October after the issue was raised at the Scottish Parliament.

It was agreed MPA would apply for a

“Hopefully this won’t have caused any longterm problems for Montrose Port.

LIAM KERR, MSP

marine licence to continue to dispose at Lunan Bay for a year whilst other options for the use of dredged material were investigated.

In its application, MPA said these investigations “may take several months” and it must be able to dredge and dispose in the interim period “if the port is to remain operational”.

Nik Scott-Gray, chief executive at MPA, said: “Until this year, Montrose Port Authority has not arbitrarily chosen to dispose of dredged material at Lunan Bay; we were bound to do so by a Disposal Licence, issued by Marine Scotland.

“We would be happy to participate in alternative options.

“Should MPA’s application to continue to dispose of dredged materials at Lunan Bay in the interim be rejected, this has the potential to cause issues for the port.”

Montrose Golf Links – battling to save the 456-year-old course from a watery grave – previously pointed the finger at the port for “wasting” the dredged material by dumping it at Lunan Bay.

It claimed that if the material was put on to Montrose beach in the “correct” position it would have a “significant impact and slow down the erosion”.

However, analysis by leading marine consultancy ABPmer later stated there was “no link” between MPA’s dredging activity and coastal erosion in the area.

Liam Kerr MSP said he was “very pleased” that Marine Scotland appear to have agreed to the dredging extension.

He said: “This investigative work should have been done before the last licence was refused.

“Hopefully this won’t have caused any long-term problems for Montrose Port.”

gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk

Montrose Port Authority has said that dredging and disposal of the resultant material at Lunan Bay must continue if the port is to remain operational while feasibility studies are carried out.