An environmental consultation report, which seeks the views of all parties with an interest in the project, has been published by Forscot, the Scottish-based company that proposes to build a £1 billion integrated forest products plant at Invergordon.
The report was prepared by Environ UK, the independent environmental consultancy engaged by the company to carry out the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project.
The report describes the project and its potential environmental impact. Responses are invited from all parties with an interest in participating in the EIA process. These are expected to include the Highland Council, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Health and Safety Executive, and a number of other bodies.
All responses will be taken into account and used to produce an Environmental Statement, which will form part of the company's planning application to the Highland Council.
Forscot chairman Ed Gillespie said the responses would also help guide the company's final designs for the proposed forest products plant. ‘We will ensure that the Forscot plant, which will incorporate the best technology available worldwide, will meet or exceed the requirements of environmental legislation and operate within best practice guidelines.
‘The plant will be a huge economic asset, creating valuable employment in the area. At the same time we want to make sure we do nothing to harm the local environment,' Mr Gillespie added. ‘This report will help us ensure this goal can be achieved.'
The environmental report, together with other information on Forscot, can be seen online at www.forscot.com
Notes to editors:
The environmental consultation document is the first stage of the EIA process, which is set out in the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999. The views of all interested parties will be taken into account to produce an Environmental Statement, which will be submitted to Highland Council as part of the planning application for the project.
Forscot is planning to build and operate a £1 billion integrated saw mill, pulp mill, paper mill and renewable energy plant at Invergordon in the north-east of Scotland, using Sitka spruce grown in Scotland and the north of England as its principle raw material.
The operation will process 100 per cent of the harvested timber. Most of the wood will be used to make sawn goods for the building industry, pulp for sale to paper and tissue manufacturers, and paper for magazines and advertising material. The remainder of the wood, including bark, sawdust and harvesting waste, will provide the biofuel to power the plant, which will be self sufficient in energy needs.
Date: 21 July 2005
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