Continuing its successful growth journey, the Global Energy Group today announced it has placed a formal planning application with the Highland Council and Marine Scotland for permission to develop the South Quay at Nigg Energy Park. When complete, the development will significantly increase further opportunities for the park offering over 1,000 metres of available quayside for customers in the offshore oil and gas sector providing essential deep-water access, as well as supporting the demand for large laydown areas and fabrication facilities for the renewables industry.
Week Commencing 13th May 2013 Energy/ Business Services: I met this week with colleagues from HIE, Highland Council, Environmental Research Institute, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd and business representatives to discuss the evolving concept of an “International Marine Energy Delivery (IMED)” campus in Caithness. It was clear from the meeting that there is a considerable amount of work currently being undertaken in the north that is ready for wider international attention, including the academic work being taken forward by the ERI and European partners, and the international work being undertaken by area businesses.
Natural Retreats is delighted to announce that its revolutionary new concept in the self-catering industry, The Inn at John O’Groats, is on course to open mid-August 2013 and is now taking bookings. The restoration of the iconic former John O’Groats Hotel is part of Natural Retreats’ multi-million pound regeneration of this stunningly picturesque natural wilderness in Caithness in the North of Scotland.
Some indicative Pentland Firth energy sketches relating to Gills Bay/Gills Harbour, Caithness, KW1 4YB. The sketches have been drafted for Gills Harbour Ltd by Mark Fresson, a senior architect at Archial Ltd's North of Scotland office in Inverness and kindly donated to community-owned Gills company.
New Ambulance Technicians are set to start work across Scotland following a £6.8 million investment. The increase of 150 staff is to allow a change in working hours that ensures ambulance workers get planned rest breaks in their shift, but are still able to attend emergency calls when required.
The Planning, Environment and Development Committee of the Highland Council today (15th May) approved a revised version of the Planning Enforcement Charter which details the Council’s statement of enforcement policy and procedure for dealing with breaches of planning control. The Highland Council has powers to enforce planning controls in cases where they have been breached, such as when development is carried out without planning permission, conditions of a planning permission or original plans are not complied with, or unauthorised work is conducted on Listed Buildings or protected trees.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 15th) sold 446 store cattle, 27 adult head of breeding cattle & 61 OTM cattle. Bullocks (226) averaged 221.4p and sold to 269.7p per kg for a 330kg Limousin cross from Balmaglaster, South Laggan, and £1,335 gross for a 635kg Limousin cross from Inchbae, Garve.
Decrofting legislation to tackle specific difficulties owner-occupier crofters are facing when decrofting their land has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. The Environment and Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse announced recently that the Scottish Government would bring forward a Bill which will amend the crofting legislation.
Mechanisms to deliver important aspects of the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) have been thrashed out by the European Fishing Ministers. Covering important areas such as the discard ban and regionalisation – and following input from the European Parliament – the details agreed are crucial to the new CFP being workable and giving the flexibility needed to deliver a better future for Scotland’s fishing industry.
New farmers can now get financial support thanks to a new scheme opened by the Scottish Government today. £2 million worth of funding will be available to support new entrants and deer farmers who are currently excluded from receiving single farm payments.
A revised action programme to tackle nitrate loss from agricultural sources in Scotland comes into force today. The European Union’s Nitrates Directive aims to prevent or minimise nitrate pollutants draining from farmland and into surface waters and groundwater.
Revised proposals have been announced this week for a £30 million wind farm development at Spittal Hill, just over 2km north east of the village of Spittal in Caithness. Comprising up to 8 turbines, with an installed capacity of up to 24 megawatts (MW), the proposals have been brought forward by Spittal Hill Windfarm Ltd, owned by Statkraft and a group of Highland based shareholders.
The Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee of Highland Council will continue to pursue its interests in the economic growth of the area when it discusses Workforce Development and Skills Training at its next meeting at the Assembly Rooms, Wick on Monday 20 May. Councillor Deidre MacKay, Leader of the Area Committee said: “Members have received reports on the economic potential and current patterns of employment and unemployment in the area.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (May, 14th) sold 63 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (41) averaged 231.8p (-2.0p) and sold to 249p per kg and £1,725.20 gross.
Employers all over Scotland will be encouraged to employ more Modern Apprentices as the second Scottish Apprenticeship Week gets underway on Monday 20 May. Skills Development Scotland wants to work with bosses to recruit 25,000 new Modern Apprentices – matching the 25,000 training last year across more than 80 different occupations.
One of Scotland’s most famous mountaineers, Cameron McNeish is helping endorse the Highlands’ natural credentials as part of the Year of Natural Scotland 2013. VisitScotland, in partnership with Highland Council, has launched its latest initiative to get people out and about during this year, targeting those living in Scotland and Northern England.
Week Commencing 6 May 2013 Energy/ Business Services: Ignis Wick Ltd, the company behind the combined heat and power scheme in Wick, have announced a further expansion of the district heating system with the connection later this month of the Wick Assembly Rooms. This will allow the north’s largest public performance venue to be heated entirely from renewable energy, enabling its oil-fired boiler to be switched off.
Two top Highland Council leaders have been paying a fact-finding visit to Gills Harbour. Council convener Councillor Jimmy Gray and Caithness & Sutherland Area Committee chair Councillor Deirdre Mackay looked over facilities at the busy Canisbay facility, on the shores of the Pentland Firth's Inner Sound.
First time homebuyers within The Highland Council area are set to benefit from the introduction of a mortgage guarantee scheme, using the Local Authority Mortgage Scheme model already successfully launched by a number of English councils. The scheme aims to support up to 33 new homebuyers in the current year in getting on to the property ladder.
Police issue warning to disqualified drivers. The Highland and Islands Division continue to receive information and intelligence about drivers who drive illegally when they have been disqualified or do not hold an appropriate licence.
