Planning permission has been granted for boats to berth at Annat pier at Corpach Harbour on Sundays, despite some concerns about operations there.
Highland Council approved the application to allow Annat pier to carry out the “berthing and disembarking of vessels” on Sundays on Tuesday October 10, but maintained that other operations would not be permitted.
It also set four new conditions that will have to be followed.
These include that the pier will continue to only operate between the hours of 6am to 10pm unless there is prior approval from the Planning Authority.
The pier is also only permitted to handle “among other things, timber products and other bulk products.”
It was also stated by Highland Council that any bulk products that had been left on the pier waiting to be transported could not cause dust, odours or pollutants to affect nearby homes.
Lastly, the operators of Annat Pier, Boyd Brothers (Haulage) Ltd are required to undertake a noise assessment six months from when the application was granted, with one already undertaken beforehand.
In January 2023, Kilmallie Community Council chairperson and Achapubuil resident, Dr Michael Foxley commented on the application: “The noise assessment was carried out on one day with no activity at the jetty and on another, June 1, when a modern diesel-electric fisheries protection vessel docked.
“A relevant noise assessment should be carried out when the diesel vessels are running a generator overnight or up to 60 hours over the weekend.”
He added: “Carbon waste is still stored in an exposed open-fronted shed, causing pollution.
“Light pollution continues as the lighting columns do not comply with their planning consent, with light spills significantly outwith the site boundary.
“And the noise pollution continues due to the poor handling of cargo by the obsolete yellow multi docker.”
Alvance British Aluminum currently use the pier and their contractor Boyd Brothers to handle carbon anodes produced as a by-product of the smelting process undertaken at Alvance’s Lochaber Smelter site in Fort William.
These are transported by lorry to Annat where they are transferred onto boats at the pier, which is located opposite Achapubuil on the Narrows separating Loch Eil from Loch Linnhe
An Alvance spokesperson said: “Alvance had not previously been aware of noise complaints in relation to the handling of our material.
“Improved procedures and investment have been made to reduce the dusting from the operation as far as possible, and we continue to monitor this.
“Alvance maintains a rigorous contractor management process and collaborates closely with our contractors to ensure that all operations adhere to established safety and environmental standards.
“Additionally, we have aided in the development of procedures and control measures, which our contractors use, that are specifically designed to mitigate excessive dusting during the loading operations on the ship.
“These procedures have been approved by regulators and the local authority teams to ensure that they are effective in minimising any adverse impacts on the community and the environment.
“Our approach to addressing these concerns has been through active and open dialogue with local authorities and our contractor. We are receptive to feedback and have been committed to making adjustments to our operations.”
A planning report published on Wednesday October 4, noted public considerations that had been raised around noise pollution and the handling of the carbon on the pier.
One stated that the “applicant (Boyd Brothers) has exercised Sunday docking and leaving since June 1 without a planning consent, on average twice a month.”
In a summary of their response, Boyd Brothers told the planners that vessels had only been berthed on a Sunday when “temporary permission (was) granted.”
Boyd Brothers also commented: “During our year trial period of allowing ships to berth or depart the quay on Sundays, we have found the allowance has assisted our operations in numerous ways.
“On average there was between 1-2 vessels utilising the permission each month. Our main finding was that by allowing the ships to berth on Sunday, upon arrival, loading was able to commence earlier on Monday morning.
“Berthing on Sunday helped meet rest requirements of the crew ensuring they were fully prepared for meeting their Monday targets.
“We do not regularly operate at the quay on Saturday so there is much less of a requirement for Sunday departures.
“There was occasional use where the ships remained at the quay to shelter from adverse weather. A vital requirement for ships in the area.”
However, the October 4 report did also recognise that operations at Annat Pier and in the industrial estate at Corpach had led to irregular complaints, with these often in relation to operating hours, noise pollution and light pollution.