Fish Farm application taken to the Wyre – Fishfarmer Magazine
Fish Farm application taken to the Wyre26 March, 2014 –
A SCOTTISH Sea Farms (SSF) planning application for a salmon farm at Gairsay Sound, Wyre, Orkney, has been refused by the Orkney Islands Council planning committee.
A report in The Orcadian today states that the committee were divided on the issue, four voting for the application and four against; the deciding vote against being cast by vice chairman, Owen Tierney on behalf of the chairman, Rob Crichton, who had declared an interest in the matter.
The site which would have contained twelve 100-metre circumference pens and a feed barge was objected to on the grounds that the farm would take up fishing grounds of scallop divers and creel fishermen, as well as the environmental impact to the surrounding waters and the seabed.
There were three letters of support for the project and 28 against. The meeting was also attended by representatives from Orkney Fishing Association and the Wyre Community Association.
Richard Darbyshire, regional production manager for Scottish Sea Farms, who was also present, aired his disappointment at the decision and stated that the company would be appealing the decision.