The freeports decision has been delayed, so no announcement; nonetheless, the meeting was a convenient forum to brief and discuss matters of common interest.
The Forth Ports bid is for a geographic area within which there are three “Tax” sites. The Tax sites attract seed funding from the UK and Scottish governments and the relaxation of certain taxes and legal obligations. There are three tax sites within the bid: Grangemouth/Falkirk, Rosyth, and Leith. There are also two Customs sites out with the defined geographic area: Burntisland and Edinburgh Airport. The Customs sites are ineligible for seed funding but enjoy some of the relaxations relating to tax and legal obligations.
If the Forth Ports bid is successful Burntisland might be twinned with Leith to develop off-shore energy installations and/or to be an overspill area. They were disappointed that Harland and Wolff had not taken on the former BIFAB site at the West Dock. They also acknowledged the problems of shallow docks, narrow entrances and poor road access but pointed out the existence of relatively deep water immediately offshore. The West Dock would be easier to develop than the West Dock – existing infrastructure, planning permission etc.
If Forth Ports are unsuccessful in their Freeport bid they will continue to promote Burntisland as a manufacturing base for offshore energy projects, building on demand and the anticipated success of existing tenant(s?) in the West Dock.
Looking ahead we were told that they are reviewing and enhancing their Corporate Social Responsibility Programme to raise the company’s profile in general and, in particular, Burntisland. The programme could, or would, be pro-active and take several forms, including: assisting projects financially; helping with accommodation; permitting access for historical or natural environmental events, and permitting suitably controlled leisure activities ashore or afloat.
The meeting also discussed items raised by BHAT, thus:
a. Details of the intended date to move the fence on the breakwater to the position stated in Forth Ports Listed Building Consent application.
b. Details regarding any proposed locking of the gates at the North Side of the East Dock, Shank’s Pier (Western Peninsular), the breakwater and the south side of the East Dock.
c. An update on progress regarding the dismantled Derrick crane on Shank’s Pier, whether this is to be subject to a retrospective listed building consent application or to be reinstated (we would certainly favour the latter). The owner of the crane is repainting it. Forth Ports will weld the cogs to make them inoperable (safe) and re-erect the crane once painted
d. As an aside to c) colleagues at Burntisland Heritage Trust have expressed a particular interest in the Derrick crane and would be interested in prior agreed and specific access to the crane, from time to time i.e. on occasion rather than routinely, as may be convenient for Forth Ports. Is this something Forth Ports could accommodate
e. Whether Forth Ports have a copy of the ancient document covering rights of use to Shank’s Pier by townsfolk. We are in contact with the County Archivist on this matter but should Forth Ports have their own copy we would very much appreciate having sight of this / taking a further copy for reference.
f. The potential to lease land at the East Dock was mentioned at the last meeting. We would like to give further consideration to this and would be grateful for Forth Ports’ agreement to allow BHAT surveyors access to assess condition etc
g. An update on the potential sale / dismantling of the caustic soda tank and associated plant. The potential buyer has withdrawn, the tank is clean, the contamination of the soil underneath the tank is unknown.
h. An update on the prospective Green Freeport Status: the decision is overdue.
On concluding the meeting it was agreed that it should become a regular event and that the next meeting should be sometime after the announcement of the Freeport locations.