Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth

The Development Manager spoke to the terms of the report and to supplementary report number 1 which referred to 2 late representations from the Friends of the Sound of Jura and a response from the Applicant which provided further clarification on the risk to wild swimmers and bath medicine treatments. 

The application site is located in the Firth of Lorn off the coast between Dunbeg and Ganavan, north of Oban.  A fish farm has been operating in this location since 1987.  The current site at Dunstaffnage comprises 9 x 80m circumference cages in a 50m mooring grid with an associated 80 tonne feed barge.  This would be replaced by 14 x 100m circumference cages in a 75m mooring grid and a 300 tonne feed barge.  The biomass would increase by 1050 tonnes to a new maximum biomass of 2350 tonnes.

The application has been subject to 29 objections, 1 petition,  1 representation and 28 expressions of support.  Many of the objections relate to fish farming in general rather than being site specific.  Objections were also received from Argyll and District Salmon Fishery Board  and Fisheries Management Scotland.  A summary of all representations received is contained at section D and F of the report of handling.  All of the objections have been addressed fully in the report and having regard to the approved guidance for hearings, it is considered that a hearing would not add value to this assessment.

The recommendation on this application has been guided by the conclusions of the Environmental Impact Assessment report and the proposal has been assessed against the policies of the adopted Argyll and Bute Local Development Plan (LDP).

It is considered that the proposal complies with the LDP and it was recommended that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed in the report.

Motion

To agree to grant planning permission subject to the conditions and reasons numbered 1 – 12 in the report of handling and subject to the amendment of Condition 13 which should be augmented to include provision for the monitoring of the dispersal of discharge of hydrogen peroxide into waters, with feedback from this monitoring exercise incorporated into a communications plan in order to inform marine users of potential risks to human health in the vicinity of the fish farm.  The final wording of condition 13 to be delegated to the Head of Development and Economic Growth in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee.

Moved by Councillor Kieron Green, seconded by Councillor Graham Hardie.

Amendment

To agree to continue consideration of this application until SEPA release its new sea lice regulatory framework so that the Committee can make an informed decision on the cumulative impact the expansion may have.

Moved by Councillor Luna Martin, seconded by Councillor Mark Irvine.

A vote was taken by calling the roll.

Motion                                     Amendment

Councillor John Armour                      Councillor Mark Irvine

Councillor Jan Brown                         Councillor Luna Martin

Councillor Audrey Forrest

Councillor Kieron Green

Councillor Daniel Hampsey

Councillor Graham Hardie

Councillor Fiona Howard

Councillor Andrew Kain

Councillor Liz McCabe

Councillor Peter Wallace

The Motion was carried by 10 votes to 2 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

Decision

The Committee agreed to grant planning permission subject to the conditions and reasons numbered 1 – 12 in the report of handling and subject to the amendment of Condition 13 which should be augmented to include provision for the monitoring of the dispersal of discharge of hydrogen peroxide into waters, with feedback from this monitoring exercise incorporated into a communications plan in order to inform marine users of potential risks to human health in the vicinity of the fish farm.  The final wording of condition 13 to be delegated to the Head of Development and Economic Growth in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee.

(Reference: Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth dated 7 June 2022 and supplementary report number 1 dated 21 June 2022, submitted)