Fish farm objections soar as closing date is reached
Public comments, both for and against the planning application made by the Scottish Salmon Company (SSC), for a large salmon farm in the north of the island, near Millstone Point, reached a crescendo in the last two weeks leading up to the closing date.
With the closing date for public comments set for Monday September 30, a total of 206 were received by planning officials, 186 objecting to the proposal and only 20 supporting it.
The development proposal has been met with fierce opposition at each of the two public consultations hosted by SSC and at an organised protest which attracted more than 200 people to the remote and undeveloped Millstone Point where they voiced their objection both on the land and from the sea.
Objections included concerns about animal welfare, damage to the environment, and concerns about tourism, the main industry on the island. Those in favour highlighted the economic impact the development could bring to Arran, along with the creation of employment, another concerning factor on Arran.
The application, which was made during August this year, comes amid a time of increased pressure for fish farmers, with the Danish government halting the expansion of the industry and a number of high profile figures, and the media, raising concerns about the practice.
It also comes at a time when shareholders in the Jersey-registered firm will be looking to increase profits with the recent acquisition of the majority stake by Bakkafrost, a Danish salmon company based in the Faroe Islands.
The application is currently under consideration by planning chiefs and will be decided later this year.