BP poised to seal South Queensferry deal

OIL giant BP is to be awarded a new lease for an office and berthing rights at a pier at South Queensferry.

The company has occupied the building at the head of Hawes Pier, where it services the Hound Point oil terminal in the Firth of Forth, since 1975.

The office is also used as a base and locker rooms for those working off shore. BP transfers its equipment and staff from Hawes Pier to the terminal using three workboats that moor along the east side of the pier.

The existing lease is due to expire at the end of this month but under the new deal they would get a ten-year extension.

However, rent would be increased from 29,000 a year to 33,500, with a review every five years.

Under the new deal, the east side of the pier will remain available for others, including commercial passenger boats, cruise liner tenders and members of the public, to berth alongside.

The council regularly incurs costs removing algae from the pier and BP is to pay a share of these costs under the new deal on a five-yearly basis.

Councillors are expected to approve the lease next week.