CAMPAIGNERS say that tourism could be badly damaged if a new oil rig decommissioning plant on the Clyde is given the go ahead.

Over 300 people turned up at Fairlie Village Hall to a Peel Ports consultation about a potential yard being earmarked for Hunterston.

Douglas Coleman, programme director at Peel Ports, spoke to campaigners and tried to allay their fears regarding environmental concerns, stating that the site would be ‘fully contained’.

As reported last week, over 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for a full environmental impact assessment into the overall development.

Campaigner Caroline Briggs, inset, said: “I think the whole project has lacked transparency.

“Residents are a major stakeholder in what goes on around them and it has a direct impact on resident’s lifestyles.

“Tourism is a major industry - one that the council and the government are trying to develop.

“We have Inverclyde Sports Centre, the new campus, Olympic sailors, and the new marine field studies centre on Cumbrae now.

“The nature and wildlife is absolutely outstanding in this area - we have had orcas up the Clyde this summer.

“We need to make sure that we are not doing anything which would permanently jeopardise that.”

Activists have criticised the approach to the development and believe it has been handled in a way that avoids the kind of major consultation exercise which they would like to see.

Caroline told the News: “Peel Ports have got quite a reputation UK-wide as being exceedingly profitable and exceedingly powerful - and they need to be exceedingly responsible.

“You can’t take a big project, and then apply the regulations in small segments; the regulations need to be applied to the whole project.

Holly Atterson, 22, who helped set up the petition against the development, added: “The problem about the consultation is that they just want to talk about the smaller aspects.

“What is the bigger plan, and the bigger picture for the Hunterston construction yard?

Independent councillor Ian Murdoch says he has asked North Ayrshire Council why was it necessary to give an environmental impact assessment for the extension to the ferry terminal at Ardrossan Harbour but not for the proposed decommissioning yard at Hunterston.

He said: “I am not protesting against the project or the investment or the job creation.

“What I do have concerns about is that local environment.

“The amount of the sea bed silt in the seabed which is going to be dredged is across a massive area and there are grave concerns on the impact on the Site of Special Scientific Interest and the wider environment.”

West of Scotland list MSP Jamie Greene attended the public meeting and says he was struck by the unease of local people about the proposal.

He said: “I think it’s important that we do find a viable solution for the Hunterston site which adds to and improves local economic output.

“But what was clear from the public meeting I attended in Fairlie is the sheer strength of feeling from many hundreds of local residents who have concerns about the possibility of oil rig decommissioning at the site.

“Many of those concerns were environmental as well as questions being raised about the realistic quantity and quality of employment opportunities.

“My hope is that the planning process is open, transparent and gives all stakeholders more than ample opportunity to have their views and voices heard.

“Hunterston is a unique opportunity, there is a very real potential for converting the derelict site into something meaningful.

“Its deep water ability should be taken into account but not be the only deciding factor.

“At the end of the day, it is local residents who have to live with it on their doorsteps so it is right that they are given a proper platform to air their views. I would expect the Scottish Government to give due regard to all the environmental, social and physical aspects of the outcome before deciding on a final strategy.”

Campaigner Ron Gilchrist says he wants to see the 700 acre site transformed into a technology and enterprise park.

He added: “Fairlie last Wednesday showed that, after decades of nuclear, iron ore, coal dust and ultrasound pollution, it is saying ‘no’ to any further environmental contamination.”

A Peel Ports spokeswoman said: “Peel Ports remains committed to utilising Hunterston PARC’s unique advantages as a deep-water port to deliver economic growth, job opportunities and benefit to the local area, North Ayrshire and the wider Scottish community.

“The future vision for Hunterston PARC is currently being drawn together and developed within a 20-year Masterplan, which will be shared and consulted on before the end of 2018.

“In the meantime, Peel Ports has taken the proactive decision to regenerate the site by investing in and improving the existing facilities, to unlock the potential of the site.”