With the news last week that the Danish government are halting any further expansion of open cage salmon farming in their oceans, we hope that the Scottish government (and before that NAC) will follow their example and consider the recent application to the for the proposed farm in the north Arran as ecologically unfit for development. COAST are working on some guidelines to help the public respond, but here are some notes from them so far.
Scottish Salmon Company Planning Application for Millstone Point, North Arran
On Saturday 17th August 2019 the Scottish Salmon Company submitted their planning application for a new development off Millstone Point to North Ayrshire Council. The council’s planning committee have four months to consider this application.
So what can we do?
As members of the public, we have until 30th September 2019 to submit our comments on the planning application. We are working on a set of suggested guidelines to help with responses which we will share in the coming week. Please keep an eye on our webpage for updates.
All associated documents for this planning application can be viewed, with the option of downloading, by clicking on the link below or by copying and pasting it into your search bar:
https://www.eplanning.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/OnlinePlanning/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=PW6JPXLE04X00
There are two key documents worth reading which summarise the planning application:
1) Non-technical summary
2) Pre-application consultation report, detailing the views of the community regarding the development – collated from feedback at the public consultation events and Q&A sessions.
All other documents are worth having a look at if you feel you can digest them all, but these are the two we recommend. If you would like to read a paper copy of any of the documents, you can do so at Brodick Library and the North Ayrshire Council Offices in Lamlash.
Taking Action
We suggest you start putting thoughts onto paper to voice your opinion on this proposal.
Comments that will work well are:
– Non-emotional facts.
– Comments specific to North Arran, not about salmon aquaculture in general.
– Those that comment on the effects on the landscape.
– Those that highlight the impact on tourism and local economy.
– Comments regarding to the impact on wild salmon.
Additionally, the planning committee must take into consideration points outlined in the North Ayrshire Local Development Plan when looking at this application. Comments relating to these points are encouraged. Policy 25 directly relates to Aquaculture. There is an emphasis on the Council having a duty to consider any cumulative effects on a number of different areas: the landscape, seascape and visual amenity; the protection and enhancement of the wider physical environment; coastal and marine species (including wild salmonids) and habitats; and other users of the marine environment.
As mentioned above, COAST are working on a set of suggested guidelines to help with responses which they will share in the coming week, along with instructions on how to comment. Please keep an eye on their facebook and web page for updates.
https://www.facebook.com/arran.coast/