Media Statement: National Park Responds to Loch Long Fish Farm Planning Application Approval
Our statement below in response to the notification received this afternoon (Tuesday 26th Aug) that Scottish Ministers have approved the application for a marine fish farm below Beinn Reithe, Loch Long.
Heather Reid, Convener of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “The National Park Authority Board refused this planning application on 31st October 2022, concluding that a National Park was not the appropriate location for a fish farming development of such industrial scale. Board members cited the significant landscape, seascape and visual issues of the proposed development and that the risk of an escape of farmed fish could impact on the fragile wild salmon population.
“We continue to stand by those reasons for refusal and note that the Scottish Government appointed Reporter also recommended to Ministers that the appeal should be dismissed on some of these grounds. In addition, while Ministers have not accepted the Reporter’s recommendation, this was acknowledged as a finely balanced decision. We note also that prior to planning permission being granted, the developer will be required to adhere to a substantial number of conditions that have been attached to this decision. These conditions will help ensure there are the significant environmental and operational safeguards in place to mitigate – as far as possible – the impacts of the development on the nationally important landscape.
“We are disappointed by the news that this appeal has been allowed, however the right of appeal is an important part of the planning process, and we respect that process despite the outcome in this case.”
Full details of the application can be found on the DEPA website.
NPA statement issued in October 2022 following the Board’s decision to refuse the application is available here.