Scottish ministers last week overturned the decision of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority to refuse Loch Long Salmon’s planned facility in October 2022.
Nearly three years since the decision, management at Loch Long Salmon have welcomed the change, which it is said will see 12 jobs created.
Mark Shotter, project director at Loch Long Salmon, said: “After years of planning and engagement with communities and stakeholders, we are tremendously pleased to have the backing of the Scottish Government to deliver our first project at Loch Long.
“Representing £40 million of investment, the project brings with it a wealth of community benefit through job creation and dedicated community funds, strengthening both the national and local economies.
“Achieving a positive determination underlines the Scottish Government’s prioritisation of investment within rural communities and positions Scotland as a forward-thinking and innovative country, adoptive of new technologies that will enhance the aquaculture sector’s international competitiveness and send a positive signal to investors.”
More: Plans for new home refused by National Park Authority over holiday let concerns
The statement from the company also said that it would establish a dedicated community benefit fund, contributing £100,000 of funding annually for at least 20 years.
Ronnie Ross, chair of Arrochar, Tarbet and Ardlui Community Council, said: “I very much welcome the news that Loch Long Salmon can now progress with the delivery of their innovative project that will inject significant investment into the local community.
“The dedicated community fund will go a long-way towards future-proofing many local organisations and events, which underlines Loch Long Salmon’s commitment to delivering positive impact within the region.
“I am also encouraged at the number of jobs that will be created as given our rural location, this is vital in a bid to retain a skilled workforce within the region.”
Reacting to the decision to award planning permission, Heather Reid, Convener of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “The National Park Authority Board refused this planning application on October 31, 2022, concluding that a National Park was not the appropriate location for a fish farming development of such industrial scale.
“Board members cited the significant landscape, seascape and visual issues of the proposed development and that the risk of an escape of farmed fish could impact on the fragile wild salmon population.
More: ‘Victory for common sense’: Conservation charity welcomes fish farm decision
“We continue to stand by those reasons for refusal and note that the Scottish Government appointed reporter also recommended to ministers that the appeal should be dismissed on some of these grounds.
“In addition, while ministers have not accepted the reporter’s recommendation, this was acknowledged as a finely balanced decision.
“We note also that prior to planning permission being granted, the developer will be required to adhere to a substantial number of conditions that have been attached to this decision.
“These conditions will help ensure there are the significant environmental and operational safeguards in place to mitigate – as far as possible – the impacts of the development on the nationally important landscape.
“We are disappointed by the news that this appeal has been allowed, however the right of appeal is an important part of the planning process, and we respect that process despite the outcome in this case.”