PLANS for new fish farm equipment at the north and south ends of Kilbrannan Sound have been rejected after a vote which split administration councillors in Argyll and Bute.
MOWI Scotland wanted to replace 10 pens of 120cm circumference with six 160m circumference pens at its Carradale North and Carradale South fish farms.
The proposals also featured a “minor relocation” of the existing and installed 600-tonne feed barge.
A decision was made in December to send the plans to a public hearing of Argyll and Bute Council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee, with council officers recommending approval.
But despite the committee’s chair voting in favour of agreeing the recommendations, the majority of the councillors voted to refuse in each case.
The hearing took place at the council’s Kilmory headquarters in Lochgilphead on Monday, March 30, with MOWI representatives and objectors, including representatives of the Clyde Fishermen’s Association, addressing the committee.
Speaking on the first application, for the north farm, Councillor Gordon Blair (SNP, Cowal), the committee’s chair, said: “It was beneficial to have a site visit and have professional officers give their advice.
“I am content with the parties providing support on the applications. They are out there to protect all aspects of society, and I am at ease with supporting the application and going with the recommendations with the conditions set.”
Councillor John Armour (SNP, South Kintyre) responded: “I do not want to play down anything MOWI do, especially in Kintyre and in a wider context. They are a huge asset and do great work.
“Although this is considered a minor relocation, the fact that we have no data for smaller vessels under 12 metres really concerns me, and I cannot support the recommendation in that respect.
“From the concerns raised by the Fishermen’s Association, I am of the view that existing commercial fishing opportunities are not being sufficiently safeguarded and the application should be refused.
“It will result in an unacceptable exclusion of commercial fishing activity from this important fishing ground, which will result in a significant direct adverse effect.”
Councillor Biair then said: “I am at ease with the statutory bodies who have an overview of planning applications, and am quite happy with the development of discussion and dialogue which has started between MOWI and the Fishermen’s Association.”
A roll call vote was held among the councillors, which saw Councillor Armour’s amendment to refuse prevail over Councillor Blair’s motion of accepting officers’ recommendations, by six votes to three.
Councillor Paul Kennedy (Liberal Democrat, Helensburgh and Lomond South) joined the meeting in time to take part in the vote relating to the application for the south site.
However, Councillor Armour again moved an amendment to refuse, and it again prevailed by six votes to four.
