MSP WARNS CROWN ESTATE OVER COASTAL CHARGES

MSP WARNS CROWN ESTATE OVER COASTAL CHARGES

SNP MSP for the Western Isles Alasdair Allan has today written to the Crown Estate seeking a guarantee that they will not seek to make up lower returns from their property portfolio with increased charges on Scottish harbours or offshore users.

Stornoway Port Authority pay over £16,000 a year in charges to the Crown Estate and Dr Allan has estimated that £30,000 is paid by harbour authorities across the islands as a whole.

The annual report of the Crown Estate published earlier this week shows the value of the Estate’s mostly London based urban property fell by 21%.

In contrast the value of marine property increased by 10% and the Crown Estate surplus in Scotland increased by 36%. The Crown Estate has identified its marine estate as the focus for future growth:

“The marine estate represents a major opportunity for The Crown Estate, as we continue to play our part in helping the UK meet its renewable energy targets. This year we signalled our commitment to co-investing in the marine estate alongside other developers, and are moving decisively from being a relatively reactive manager of this part of our portfolio to a much more proactive role.” (p4)

The report also states:

“In general terms, our Scottish rural assets have proved more resilient than other areas of The Crown Estate portfolio.” (page 13, Crown Estate Scotland report)

Dr Allan is seeking assurances from the Crown Estate that they will not seek to increase charges for the 1,930 marine and coastal leases in place in Scotland.

These include port and harbour developments, marinas, slipways, defence, mooring rights, coastal protection, nature areas, outfall pipes, dredging permissions and 508 fish farm leases.

Dr Allan said;

“Scotland’s coastline, our harbours and our seas are an immense resource and one which we must make the most of from fishing and tourism to energy development.

“In many areas, particularly rural and island communities the charges from the Crown Estate present a barrier to development and to marine industries.

“Any increase in charges to make up for lost earnings in London would be damaging to the potential of Scotland’s coastal communities.

“Developing marine resources is welcome but I am concerned from the tone of the Crown Estate’s report that the marine estate will be expected to make up the shortfall coming from their urban property.

“If we are to get real offshore renewable energy development we need a system that sees communities benefit and charges at an affordable level for a growing industry. Exploiting this resource for immediate profit will inhibit long term development.

“If we are stuck with the Crown Estate managing our harbours and foreshore we need to see some investment in it, not see more charges taken out of it – and I am calling on the Estate to give that guarantee.”