THE Scottish Government has insisted it will rule on a controversial application to build a fish farm in the waters of a national park “as soon as possible” – after more than 10 months without a decision.
SNP ministers have sat on a final report from officials at the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) since February 15 without deciding whether or not it can go ahead – leading the Greens to call for more rapid action.
MSP Ariane Burgess said there was “no reason why this should have taken so long”.
The case centres on an application from Loch Long Salmon (LLS) to construct a semi-closed fish farm, in what would be a first for Scotland.
The technology would see fish housed in nets within impermeable floating enclosures, which advocates say would reduce negative impacts by limiting interactions between farmed fish and the surrounding marine environment.
However, critics argue that such semi-closed systems remain unproven at scale, and result in waste entering the natural environment, posing potential risks to ecosystems and wild fish populations.
The site identified by LLS to build the semi-closed farm in Loch Long, at Beinn Reithe south-west of Arrochar, falls within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
The plans were then “called in” by Scottish Government ministers in early 2023. At the time, the SNP Government said the proposed "new technology ... raises issues of national significance".
The DPEA set a target date for a decision of September 15, 2023. However, a report was not sent to Scottish ministers until five months later – on February 15, 2024 – and ministers are yet to make a decision.
Green MSP Burgess said: “Loch Long is a beautiful, nature-rich environment that people across Scotland love and care about. It is an iconic part of our country.
“This application has already been opposed by the national park authority and the community council. There are currently no fish farms in Loch Long, and the local community wants to keep it that way.
“Salmon farming is an unsustainable and often very cruel practice, and we need to look at how much of our seas we are giving away to the industry.
“There is no reason why this should have taken so long for ministers to consider. I urge the Scottish Government to end the uncertainty by listening to local people and finally rejecting this application.”
LLS project director Mark Shotter previously told industry magazine Fish Farming Expert: “We’re now approaching two years since we submitted an appeal for our proposed project at Beinn Reithe.
“The project, which represents a £40 million investment, will deliver economic benefits to the local and national economy while creating jobs and advancing Scotland’s aquaculture targets.
“A clear decision timeline is critical for the confidence of both investors and the supply chain itself.”
Responding, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scottish ministers are giving full and proper consideration to this appeal and every effort is being made to issue a decision as soon as possible.”
