Mowi Scotland is appealing a recent refusal of planning permission for an additional pen at its Loch Hourn salmon farm which would increase production capacity by 10%.
Permission was refused owing to concern that the additional biomass would exacerbate the decline of wild salmon and seatrout and potentially threaten the local fresh water pearl mussel population.
Head of environment at Mowi Scotland, Stephen MacIntyre believes there is a strong case for contesting this decision, arguing that the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency raised no concerns.
“In this appeal we present clear evidence and information showing why we believe the decision to refuse planning permission was not consistent with development plan policy nor a proper assessment of the application and Environmental Impact Assessment Report,” he said.
The initial planning permission was recommended for approval by Highland Council planners and received no objections from statutory agencies, says Mowi. The salmon farm at Loch Hourn has recently been upgraded with fewer, larger pens and currently hosts seven 160 metre circumference circular pens.
“As we outlined in our planning application the benefits of fewer, larger pens are evident and include reduced visual impacts, operational efficiencies, reduced fish stocking densities and improved health and welfare for our salmon,” continued Mr MacIntyre.
“We acknowledge that the planning application resulted in a mix of positive and negative feedback from local residents.
“Notwithstanding, we expect that development decisions that affect the livelihoods of many local families be evidence-based when considering social, economic and environmental sustainability,” he concluded.
