Developers behind what could be the first onshore salmon farm in England have presented their plans for a 5,000 tonne facility in Grimsby.
Aquacultured’s proposed £75 million investment at New Clee Sidings, part of the ABP port estate, have been put on show as directors looked to ease concerns raised by the neighbouring community over potential for noise and smell.
Mike Berthet, the director leading the proposal, told how the latest technological advances would be deployed on the 50-tank, 40,000 sq m site, where 100 jobs could be created.
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Speaking at the consultation event at Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre, he said: “If we get planning permission for this it is going to be a game-changer for the town. It would be unique, the first one in England to have a recirculating aquaculture system, to supply salmon into the town, basically from Young’s Seafood’s car park.
“We have been looking forward to this opportunity as there is so much mis-information out there. There will be no smells, no noise, low level lighting, we’re dealing with all of the concerns.
“Fish and by-products will only leave in sealed containers on refrigerated trucks, and it will be like a hospital in terms of cleanliness, it has to be, as that is how we keep the fish growing so well, in perfectly clean water.
“That’s the business, supplying the best quality we can, as required, with as close to zero carbon footprint as we can.”
By having supply direct into the UK’s processing capital it will save some 250,000 polystyrene boxes and 1,700 long distance truck journeys annually.
Addressing particular points raised by a steady flow of interested parties, Mr Berthet said the noise would be “less than a hair dryer” due to the need for tranquil conditions, while waste water would leave the plant cleaner than how it comes in due to filtration techniques deployed on the draw-in and outflow to control microplastics and other contaminants.
Mr Berthet was joined by a couple of the other founding directors, with seafood experience twinned with financial and entrepreneurial backgrounds.
While objections about the scale remained from those living closest to where the large building nears the residential Harrington Street at the most southern point, across the rail line by Grimsby Town's Blundell Park football ground, the loss of what has become scrubland since the final departure of the fish wagons many decades ago also bemoaned.
Industry figures also turned out to the consultation to give their support, following on from cluster organisation backing revealed last week.
Andrew Coulbeck, managing director of salmon specialist JCS Fish, a business based on Grimsby Docks, said: “I think it is so important for the industry and for Grimsby.”
Pete Dalton, who developed the neighbouring Grimsby Seafood Village, added: “We heard the same issues that have been raised but have lived happily ever after with all the neighbours and haven’t caused them a problem. The sea wall further along is full of graffiti, the area is covered in beer cans and dog muck, so I’m fully behind these plans. It will be great for the town, creating a lot of jobs, which is great for the economy.”
Next steps: Planning submission and £125m fundraise
Comments collected as part of the consultation process will help shape the formal planning application, with submission anticipated in four to five weeks.
A separate presentation was given to North East Lincolnshire Council prior to the public event, with Mr Berthet hopeful a positive decision will be made “by the end of September”.
An 18 month build is forecast, with a further two years to grow the first salmon, before it sees a plate.
There is now the small matter of raising the £120 million required to fund the build and then working capital as they “sit on their hands for two years while the salmon is growing before they can earn their first penny”.
“So far we have funded ourselves,” Mr Berthet said. He takes a sales and marketing role and is joined by James Fox-Davies, director at Fowey Shellfish Co, Craig Anderson, former chief executive of The Scottish Salmon Co, Mark Edgley, a Somerset-based salmon fisher and Glastonbury glamping provider, financier Matthew Clarke and Neil Jamieson. All were brought together with the help of Mr Berthet’s former colleague, Jeff Archer, who founded M&J Seafood - providing the Grimsby link with a Riby Street operation for several years.
“Before Christmas we went out and spoke to 10 influential high net worth individuals and we managed to get £1 million, the seed capital to get us to planning,” Mr Berthet said.
“The next funding round will be a combination of equity and debt, and we will need about £120 million, at the top end. That will give us project capital and working capital.
“We are looking for private investment, family funds, anyone in the UK who wants to invest significant sums in what will be the UK’s first onshore salmon farm. I hope it won’t take too long to raise that.”
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