Press Release
CHANGE TO PLANNING ROLES WELCOMED
4 April 2007
New rules governing planning permission for fish farms take effect this week when local authorities take responsibility for aquaculture developments on the seabed round the coast.
The change has been positively welcomed by The Crown Estate - previously responsible for granting both development consent and a lease for use of the seabed.
Aquaculture - including salmon, cod and mussel farming – is an important industry for many remote rural parts of Scotland. The Crown Estate played a significant part in the initial development of the fish farming industry in Scotland by charging low rents. This helped a number of pioneering companies carry out the required research and development which has led to today’s successful industry. In addition, The Crown Estate has also contributed over £2.5m towards priority research and development projects.
For many years The Crown Estate had a dual role as planning authority for fish farms and also as the landlord of the seabed. But these two roles meant a perceived conflict of interest and The Crown Estate called for the system to change.
What is less clear is that local authorities have, in practice, decided on fish farm applications since 1998 when a voluntary agreement – known as the “Interim Scheme” – was put in place.
As The Crown Estate’s Head of the Scottish Marine Estate, Ian Pritchard, explained, this voluntary arrangement in the past had led to confusion about roles and responsibilities.
"Under the Interim Scheme local councils reviewed all fish farm applications and provided The Crown Estate with a recommendation which it implemented in all cases.
"But the design of the scheme, which meant The Crown Estate was still seen to be the decision taking body, meant that on occasion we were criticised for decisions that were effectively taken by local councils.
“This finally brings to an end the uncertainty over the grant of development consent for fish farm developments on the seabed which has existed for almost a decade. We welcome the new arrangements under which councils have similar planning powers for fish farms as they do for developments on land,” he said.
Further Information
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