Since the fish feed storage shed went up at the Cromarty Firth Port Authority (CFPA) last year, without any consultation, residents in Cromlet Park and King George Street have had to put up with nasty smells floating over their homes.

Now Cromarty Firth Highland councillor Maxine Smith has gathered six months' worth of research data from local folk who are affected by the smell which she intends to pass to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).

Councillor Smith hopes the results of the survey will reveal when the odours are at their worst and identify measures that can be put in place to protect residents' quality of life.

The shed is on land owned by the port authority and managed by company Highland Stevedoring on behalf of fishmeal company Skretting.

Councillor Smith said: "The data has shown that on certain days and times, always when there is a south-westerly wind, a foul smell floats over some houses at Cromlet Park and King George Street.

"I will be taking the data to SEPA who are very interested in it and have asked me to identify which days are the worst so they can go back to Highland Stevedoring who run the fishmeal business and see what they were doing different on those days to cause the smell.

"There should be no smell, or very little, and if there is then SEPA may need to look at the licence and see if it is appropriate. It's all about making sure people stick to rules."

She added: "Captain Ken Gray from the CFPA seems to be addressing this issue at long last and speaking to the companies involved.

"I was delighted to hear Ken say at a recent Invergordon community council meeting that the CFPA had learned lessons from not consulting with the community over the fishmeal shed and its location and would now do so on any major projects. We were all pleased to hear this."

Councillor Maxine Smith, pictured by the fish meal storage warehouse in Invergordon Service Base. Derek Gordon, 07778 044112

The port authority did not need planning permission for the building because a trust port is exempt for any industrial developments. However, it did not consult locally and complaints were levelled at the port authority that the building blocked the view across to the Black Isle from the High Street.

Nobody was available at Highland Stevedoring for comment this week.

CFPA port manager/harbourmaster Ken Gray said: "Although CFPA owns the land and the fishmeal shed, we are not the operator. However, we are in regular dialogue with the operator and contractor over operations at the shed.

"We look forward to the results of Councillor Smith's survey."

A spokeswoman for SEPA said: "SEPA is aware of complaints relating to odours in the area, and await information from a local councillor so we can attempt to match dates when the odours were reported to be objectionable with operations at the shed or pier.

"SEPA regulate the loading, unloading and storage of fishmeal at the site, and have imposed conditions regarding odours and particulate matter. Complaints regarding odour or particulate matter deposition so far remain unsubstantiated."

editor@north-star-news.co.uk

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---