Sullom Voe masterplan backed

Shetland Islands Council’s development committee has given its approval for a Sullom Voe masterplan which could lift the blanket ban on aquaculture in the harbour area.

The exclusion has been in force for navigational safety reasons, but it is no longer required in the outer areas of the oil port due to the reduced tanker traffic.

A marine development masterplan has now been proposed due to this and will examine if the area can be opened up to new users.

Chairman Alastair Cooper told the development committee such a masterplan could inform similar work in other areas of Shetland.

“We’re embarking on a journey here, rather than a one stop-shop,” he noted.

Ports and harbours manager John Smith said the Sullom Voe harbour area was a “very significant asset”, while Shetland South councillor Allison Duncan questioned how many potential jobs could be created through new aquaculture developments.

There has been continued commercial interest from aquaculture companies in the area, while other potential future uses include marine renewables as well as further fishing, leisure and oil and gas interests.

Concerns were previously raised allowing development in the area might put off the oil industry, while it had been stressed that only sections of the harbour could potentially be opened up.

The Sullom Voe harbour area includes the majority of Yell Sound, while it also contains the piers and harbours at Collafirth, Toft and Ulsta as well as the waters up to the head of Sullom Voe at Mavis Grind.

The report on the masterplan will be passed through the environment and transport committee and harbour board this week before being heard by the policy and resources committee on Monday.