Forth Ports have pledged that plans to make Dundee a hub for the renewables industry as a manufacturing base for offshore wind turbines and the site of a biomass plant were unaffected by the group’s £745 million sale to a private equity investment fund.
Dundee City Council wants Scottish ministers to defer plans for the biomass plant until more information is available about its impact on public health and the environment.
If the government are not minded to accept the council’s recommendations or impose conditions on air quality, the council will insist on its response to the Forth Energy scheme being treated as an objection.
A public inquiry will be triggered if this happens, allowing all aspects of one of the most emotive planning issues to affect the city in many years to be investigated.
Forth Ports have been taken over by Arcus European Infrastructure Fund through its subsidiary Otter Ports on the basis of £16.30 per share.
Forth Ports own Leith, Grangemouth, Dundee and Tilbury docks and also harbour sites at Rosyth, Methil, Burntisland and Kirkcaldy.
The group reported profits before tax up 20% to £56 million. Its property holdings increased from £108 million to £115 million, and have been boosted by the use of Tilbury for the London Olympics.
They have permission for a biomass plant at Tilbury and have applied for similar installations at Leith, Dundee, Grangemouth and Rosyth through their Forth Energy subsidiary.
David Richardson, chairman of Forth Ports, said the Arcus offer gives Forth Ports shareholders the opportunity to realise their investment at a fair price.
He added, “It is also pleasing that this successful Scottish company will continue to be run from Scotland.”
Forth Ports manages and operates 280 square miles of navigable waters in the Tay and Forth estuaries, including two specialised marine terminals for oil and gas export, and provides other marine services, such as towage and conservancy.
The group also have significant property interests and renewable energy projects and is looking to gain planning approval for onshore wind installations and biomass facilities in its ports.
Charles Hammond, chief executive, said plans for developments in the Tay and Forth were unaffected by the takeover.
“We have high quality assets, a robust business model and plans to grow the business and remain in Scotland,” he said.
“Dundee and Methil are two ports that have been identified as potential renewables hubs and we aim to move forward with these plans enthusiastically. In Dundee, this includes potential investment in facilities for the manufacture of offshore wind turbines and a biomass plant.”
These developments could bring hundreds of jobs and be a major boost to the economy, but the biomass plant has run into strong opposition.