A UK Government agency has signalled that it plans to hold fresh talks with Holyrood officials and other groups before making a final ruling on controversial plans to transfer oil in the Cromarty Firth.
Bosses at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) told the Press and Journal last night that they did not believe they would reach a decision without further “engagement”.
The body could not put a timescale on when it expected to determine the application, which could lead to the transfer of millions of tonnes of crude oil a year between tankers in waters populated by dolphins and protected birds.
Cromarty Firth Port Authority provoked a furore at Christmas when the proposals emerged.
Chief executive Bob Buskie pledged to work closely to address concerns, and argued that similar transfers had taken place safely for years by the Nigg terminal in the firth and in other seas.
But more than 3,000 people have joined local community groups and wildlife charities in opposing the plans, amid fears over the economic and environmental risks of a spill.
The issue turned into a major political row amid a dispute over whether the MCA or the Scottish Government should be making the final decision.
Last night, an MCA spokeswoman said that further consultation would be held before the application was determined, including with the Scottish Government.
“Assessment of the Cromarty Firth Port Authority’s licence application is ongoing and being undertaken alongside consideration of all feedback received during the public consultation,” she said.
“The assessment process will likely require continued engagement with appropriate stakeholders, including the Scottish Government, before any final determination can be reached.”
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage have both raised concerns about the plans, and SNP Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead has said he would pay particular attention to what those two organisations said.
Last night, Mr Buskie, said the Port of Cromarty Firth was also continuing to consider all feedback.
“The Port of Cromarty Firth is continuing to engage with stakeholders in accordance with the requirements of our application process,” he said.
“As legal guardians of the Firth, the Port takes stakeholder feedback very seriously and all feedback received will be given due consideration as part of the application process.”