Mowi farm plans for Carradale are turned down

Mowi was looking to replace 10 pens of 120 metres circumference with six 160 metre pens, as well as relocating the position of a feed barge, at the farm sites in Kilbrannan Sound, on Scotland’s west coast.

Planning officers at Argyll and Bute council had recommended that consent be granted, but elected councillors voted against it, after objections were raised by the Clyde Fisherman’s Association.

West Coast Today reported that, at a council meeting on 30 March, Councillor Gordon Blair (Scottish National Party, Cowal), the planning committee’s chair, said: "It was beneficial to have a site visit and have professional officers give their advice.

"I am content with the parties providing support on the applications. They are out there to protect all aspects of society, and I am at ease with supporting the application and going with the recommendations with the conditions set."

His fellow SNP councillor, John Armour, spoke against the proposal. He said: “Although this is considered a minor relocation, the fact that we have no data for smaller vessels under 12 metres really concerns me and I cannot support the recommendation in that respect.

"From the concerns raised by the Fishermen’s Association, I am of the view that existing commercial fishing opportunities are not being sufficiently safeguarded and the application should be refused.

"It will result in an unacceptable exclusion of commercial fishing activity from this important fishing ground, which will result in a significant direct adverse effect."

The application was refused, by six votes to four.

Mowi is reported to be in talks with the fishermen’s association over the proposed upgrade.