Permission granted for fish farm years after national park chiefs refused

Planning permission has been granted for a fish farm near Arrochar – almost three years after national park planning chiefs refused.

Loch Long Salmon’s application for the facility in the shadow of Ben Reithe was refused by Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority in October 2022 following a public hearing.

But Scottish Government ministers have now overturned the decision after an appeal by the company was successful.

A reporter to the ministers even recommended that the appeal be thrown out, but after considering the evidence presented, the planning and environmental appeals decision has upheld the appeal.

In a decision letter, the Scottish ministers said: “The Scottish ministers acknowledge that the development is larger in scale than open-net fish farms due to the SCCS (semi-closed containment systems) technology.

“The Scottish ministers agree with the reporter that fish farm development is inevitably industrial in appearance but consider this should not count against it.

“The Scottish ministers also agree with the reporter that no identified ‘important views’ would be significantly affected and that design of the proposed development has sought to minimise visual effect.

“In these circumstances, the Scottish ministers consider these aspects taken together are important in considering whether the development is scaled, sited and designed to be in keeping with the wooded and undeveloped character of the area.

“On balance, the Scottish ministers consider that there is strong support in principle for the proposed development from National Planning Framework 4, particularly due to the use of SCCS technology.

“The proposed development also accords with other elements of the development plan, offers economic benefits through the operation of the fish farm, and is generally consistent with the National Marine Plan.

“Taken together, these factors are considered sufficient to outweigh the aforementioned policy conflicts. The Scottish Ministers therefore conclude that the proposed development accords with the development plan overall and grant planning permission, subject to conditions.

The document added: “Accordingly, for the reasons given above, the Scottish ministers hereby approve planning permission for the proposed development.”

In a statement issued after the October 2022 hearing, the park authority had previously said: “The semi-closed containment systems proposed – whilst noted as a substantial step forward for the industry – have not yet been trialled in Scotland and there is not a sound body of evidence on which to base decision making.

“There is a clear risk that the technology may not be sufficiently successful and the location of the application site in Loch Long – with connectivity to the Endrick Water Special Area of Conservation and its fragile population of Atlantic salmon – means that the impacts associated with a potential escape of farmed fish is a significant concern.”

Councillors from Argyll and Bute Council are part of the national park authority’s board.