Councillors to scrutinise renewable campus proposal

Islands councillors want to look into more detail – including the business case – for a proposed Orkney Renewables Campus in Stromness.

A report before members of the OIC development and infrastructure committee yesterday said that following an options appraisal report, and commitment from Highlands and islands Enterprise, Heriot Watt University, and the council, Davis Langdon Consultants were appointed to progress the concept of an Orkney Renewables Campus and to explore funding options.

Committee members agreed that on receipt of the final report from the consultants, the matter would come back before them in June, when details of the business case for the project should also be provided.

Many of those at the meeting said that they would like to look further into the business case for the project, as it was mooted that various council-owned properties would be encompassed in the project. There were also questions asked if the council should be taking a lead on the project.

OIC vice-convener Jim Foubister was one of those who voiced concern.

Referring to the council purchase and redevelopment of the former Commercial Hotel, in Stromness, he said there were still no tenants for the property, despite the council being told “that there were people queuing up to get in there.”