Annat Bay Fish Farm Appeal
September 2005
The Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit (SEIRU) upheld an appeal by Annat Bay Marine Ltd to establish a finfish farm at Annat Bay near Ullapool.
This follows an earlier decision by the Highland Council to refuse the application.
The conclusion reached by the Reporter has led to a number of inaccurate media reports and statements from politicians.
The Crown Estate decided fish farm applications until the system changed in 1998. The then Scottish Office wanted to transfer the decision-making powers to local authorities and make the planning process for fish farm applications similar to those on land. The Crown Estate agreed to implement the Interim Scheme, on a voluntary basis until legislation was passed to formally transfer marine aquaculture planning powers to local authorities.
The process followed in relation to Annat Bay is no different to what happens for any other planning application. Following the refusal by Highland Council the applicant appealed to the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit (SEIRU) and that appeal has been upheld.
The Crown Estate having agreed to abide by the new Interim Scheme, will implement the decision of the SEIRU, provided the conditions that are in the report are met.
It is important that applicants, and objectors, to finfish farm applications have a clear understanding of the process. We will continue to abide by the terms of the Interim Scheme but look forward to the introduction of legislation to make this voluntary system legally binding. This would help to avoid confusion and misunderstanding about The Crown Estate’s role.
An Adobe Acrobat copy of SEIRU's report on the Annat Bay application is available by following the link below.
An Adobe Acrobat copy of the Appropriate Assessment carried out by The Crown Estate is available by following the link below.
