Bakkafrost Scotland are appealing against Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Planning Applications Board’s decision to refuse consent for the proposed North Gravir Fish Farm.
The Planning Applications Board (PAB) came to a unanimous decision to refuse consent for the company’s proposal to install five 200m circumference salmon pens with a maximum stocked biomass of 4,680 tonnes, approximately 60-80 meters from the south Lochs coast.
The application was rejected in early December against the recommendation of planning officials. There were concerns from councillors and board members for the impact on historically important and economically productive fishing grounds.
In the Comhairle's decision notice, it stated that this proposal failed to demonstrate that the "development would not result in an unacceptable exclusion of commercial fishing activity from a historically important and economically productive fishing grounds".
Western Isles Fisherman’s Association (WIFA) said that the area had “consistently provided large volumes of prawns, scallops, and brown crab.”
The group claimed the development would lead to the “biggest ever loss to the Scottish fishing industry of commercial fishing grounds”.
In its Environmental Impact Assessment, Bakkafrost Scotland said the sight represented only 0.06% of the affected sea area. They added that displacement of fishing activity would be “negligible”.
It was said that this project would provide five permanent jobs with an estimated direct economic benefit of £606k annually to the local economy.
The PAB heard that Bakkafrost Scotland “did not have access to Vessel Monitoring System tracks possessed by local fishermen who operate the site.”
However, WIFA countered that “the data has indeed been provided,” with prawn trawlers estimating an annual income of £50k each from within the site boundary, with up to 20 trawlers fishing within the proposed site.
South Uist, Eriskay, and Benbecula Councillor Susan Thomson raised concerns that the development will “bring about that economic benefit potentially by displacing an industry that’s already providing an economic benefit to the Western Isles.”
Stornoway North councillor Iain Macaulay raised concerns for the lack of consideration for commercial fishing vessels, noting it could affect when fishermen were able to go to sea.
At the time of the refusal, a Bakkafrost Scotland spokesperson had said: “We are disappointed by the Planning Board’s decision and intend to appeal.
“Bakkafrost has a long and proud history of operating in the Western Isles. We have engaged extensively with stakeholders and carefully considered all feedback. This development would support the long-term sustainability of our operations in the area.”
An appeal against the refusal has now been lodged with Scottish Ministers under section 47 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.
