Salmon fish farm at North Gravir Fish Farm Gravir Lochs Isle Of Lewis

“This Report relates to a planning application for planning permission for the Installation of 5 x 200m circumference pens, associated infrastructure, and a feed barge (for Atlantic salmon marine finfish) at a new undeveloped location on the east coast of Lewis, outwith Loch Odhairn, allocated the title of North Gravir Fish Farm, Gravir, Isle of Lewis. The proposed development would have a maximum standing biomass of 4,680 tonnes.”

“The planning application is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) application. An EIA Report comprised of several chapters was submitted to assess the likely significance of effect of the proposed development on the wider environment and has informed the planning assessment.”

“Description of site and its context 6.1 The application site is 102ha and lies in the north Minch, immediately to the east of the South Lochs coast, Isle of Lewis. The site is currently undeveloped, with the nearest fish farm (under the control of the applicant) lying approximately 900 metres to the south west of the site.”

“The nearest settlements to the site are the rural settlements of Calbost, which is just over 1km to the north west and Gravir which is over 2km to the south west of the site. The immediately neighbouring landmass intervening between the site and these settlements is inclining and hilly moorland and is characterised as cnoc and lochan in NatureScot’s landscape character assessment.”

“The proposed location is currently undeveloped and has no planning history.”

“Mitigation measures that are considered necessary and can be secured by planning conditions are identified in the Report. For the reasons given within the Report and subject to the satisfactory implementation of these measures, it is considered that the proposal would have a largely neutral residual effect on the following issues: Seascape, Landscape and Visual effects, impacts upon water column and benthic environment, impacts on species and habitats of conservation…”

“It is concluded that while the proposed development would result in an element of landscape change, it would not result in significant harm to landscape/seascape.”

“SEPA 9.9 We have no objection to the proposed development. The relevant regulatory permissions have been sought and gained from SEPA.”

“Western Isles Fisherman’s Association (WIFA) 9.27 It was clear from the very first meeting that the Company had not undertaken local consultation to ascertain the commercial importance of this site, which has yielded a wide range of shellfish species which have been fished sustainably by a large number of local and nomadic vessels for generations.”

“Excessive scale of development. • Negative impacts and conflict with commercial fishing vessels. • Damage to vessels propulsion systems from floating feed pipes. • Navigational issues. • Loss of fishing grounds and associated income. • Loss of fishing grounds, particularly through the winter as they are sheltered. • Damage to shellfish stocks. • Damage to seabed. • Disease and parasites. • Reduction in biodiversity. • Impacts on wild fish.”

“There were three letters of support of the application, all citing the economic benefit of the development.”

“[name withheld], seconded by [name withheld] M Macaulay, moved the following amendment:”

“That the application be refused on the basis that the applicant has failed to demonstrate that the proposed development would not result in an unacceptable exclusion of commercial fishing activity from a historically important and economically productive fishing ground, contrary to Policy ED4 and Supplementary Guidance of the Outer Hebrides Local Development Plan and Policy 32 of NPF4.”

“The amendment was unanimously agreed and became the finding of the meeting.”