The Scottish Government has been urged to axe the proposed Moray Flow-Park as around 50 campaigners protested outside Holyrood over the controversial plans.
A bus from Nairn in the Highlands and Forres in Moray descended on the Scottish Parliament as communities made their voices heard against the proposed development of floating platforms along the Moray Firth
The plans would see areas of seabed used as temporary anchorage for foundation base units — large platforms usually made from concrete or metal.
Campaigners with banners and placards demonstrated outside Holyrood before attending a roundtable meeting, organised by Scottish Conservative Buckie-based MSP Tim Eagle.
A debate was then held in parliament, tabled by Douglas Ross MSP, Tim Eagle MSP and Fergus Ewing MSP, expressing concerns over the detrimental impact the plans would have on fishing, marine life, tourism and the future of the coastline being an area of conservation.
Scottish Conservative shadow rural affairs secretary and Buckie-based MSP Tim Eagle said: “Our day of action underlined that our communities will not be silenced, and I thank everyone who made the six-hour round trip to make their voices heard.
“It was a privilege to host residents from the likes of Findhorn, Nairn, Burghead and other surrounding areas in the Scottish Parliament.
“It really was a day of reckoning and it successfully brought the visibility of the campaign against Moray Flow-Park to a national level.
“The noise that was made outside the parliament was impressive and it was great to welcome the groups in for a meeting before the debate, which I took part in on behalf of the communities.
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“I thought there was a marked change in the SNP’s response and while there were still no promises, I hope ministers are finally starting to realise that this development should not go ahead.
“But the work doesn’t stop here, which is why I will continue to be raising the issue relentlessly in parliament until the right outcome is reached.
“This over industrialisation of the Moray Firth could threaten our vibrant tourist offering, harm our wonderful marine life, damage our fishermen’s livelihoods, and hurt areas of conservation.”
