Plans to build a new operations and maintenance (O&M) building in Eyemouth to support a major offshore wind development have been given the green light.
Scottish Borders Council’s (SBC) planning committee has approved the proposals put forward by Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) Offshore Wind Limited and Eyemouth Harbour Trust, marking a “significan milestone” for the project.
The planning permission is for a new, three storey, 1,040 square metre main building and a two storey, 538 square metre storage warehouse.
The O&M building, designed by Corstorphine + Wright Architects, will house the office, warehousing and staff welfare facilities required to support the servicing of NnG once the wind farm is operational.
The project will support up to 50 permanent jobs in Eyemouth over the course of its 25-year lifespan and will also bring additional benefits through training, retraining and apprenticeship opportunities.
The 450 megawatt NnG project, which is jointly owned by EDF Renewables and ESB, is located in the Firth of Forth and will supply enough low carbon electricity for around 375,000 homes.
It will also offset over 400,000 tonnes of Co2 emissions each year.
Offshore work on the development got underway last month, with seabed preparations carried out in advance of the pile casings being installed – it is due to be completed in 2023.
Matthias Haag, NnG Project Director, said: “Having worked so closely with the Eyemouth Harbour Trust on the details of this proposal I am very pleased that Scottish Borders Council has approved the plans for our O&M base at Eyemouth Harbour.
“We need an O&M base for the 25-year lifespan of NnG which brings with it fantastic socio-economic benefits for the town of Eyemouth and the local community. Today’s announcement is a significant next step towards NnG’s O&M facility being based in the town.”
Christine Bell, Eyemouth Harbour Trust Business Manager, said: “Today’s decision by SBC is warmly welcomed by Eyemouth Harbour Trust. We have been working closely with the NnG project team to achieve this goal. It’s another positive and significant step towards regeneration opportunities being realised in Eyemouth.”
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