New fish farm off coast of Skye given green light by Highland councillors

Plans for a new fish farm off the coast of Skye have been given the green light by councillors after a bid for another was rejected.

Highland councillors refused planning permission for a fish farm at Flodigarry, off the north east coast of the island, but have approved an application for another at nearby Balmaqueen.

Both projects were refused last month by the local authority’s north area planning committee on grounds of visual blight.

The decision was subsequently referred to the full council and officers recommended approval.

The applicant, Organic Sea Harvest, had reduced the number of cages from its initial proposals to build ten salmon cages near Flodigarry and another ten at Balmaqueen.

The company lost its first planning appeal for the fish farms in 2020.

Councillors opposed to the plans acknowledged potential social and economic benefits.

But they were “not considered sufficient to outweigh the adverse visual and coastal impact on the special qualities of the special landscape area.”

Representatives from the fish farm company and objectors watched lengthy debates on the plans during the full council review at a meeting in Inverness.

Speaking afterwards, Alex MacInnes of Organic Sea Harvest said: “We will have to reflect on today, in particular some of the comments that were made by members (councillors).

“We possibly need to revert to some of what was stated.”

Katie Tunn of campaign group Skye Communities for Natural Heritage said: “For them, it’s business, it’s money. For us, it’s where we live.

“They talk about being a local company but our communities at Flodigarry and Balmaqueen have overwhelmingly said no – our community councillors said no.”