Bakkafrost Scotland’s Applecross Hatchery and, indicated by the red arrow, the location of the planned staff accommodation units. Picture: Highland Council planning portal.<\/p>\n
Housing shortages have forced a major salmon hatchery to propose the erection of dozens of temporary accommodation units<\/a><\/strong> at its Wester Ross base.<\/p>\n The Applecross Hatchery, which is located next to Kishorn Port, is seeking permission from Highland Council<\/a><\/strong> to erect 42 units as well as supporting infrastructure such as welfare blocks, drying room and generators on land 140 metres away from the hatchery.<\/p>\n The hatchery\u2019s parent company, Bakkafrost Scotland<\/a><\/strong> (BFS), said that the accommodation is needed to house its growing staff team \u201cwhilst permanent options are secured\u201d amid acute housing pressures in the Highlands.<\/p>\n The land earmarked for the temporary pods is currently used for equipment storage but, if approved, will instead house 20 Kingston accommodation units in two rows of 10, as well as a dozen individual Bunkabin accommodation units, a static caravan, two welfare units, a drying room and parking spaces.<\/p>\n Explaining the reasons for its application, Bakkafrost Scotland, said: \u201cThere have been hatchery operations at the Kishorn site for approximately 40 years and these have undergone a number of upgrades and developments over the years, most significantly since 2020.<\/p>\n \u201cBFS has invested significantly in the hatchery upgrade, which is now the largest Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) facility in the UK, and is a pioneer in using renewable energy in this process.<\/p>\n \u201cAs is experienced by many areas in rural Scotland, a lack of local accommodation options create difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled staff.<\/p>\n \u201cBFS has a good reputation in the local community for providing good quality, highly paid and progressive jobs. In order to build and retain a skilled and competent workforce of the scale needed by the future hatchery operations, it is necessary to provide temporary accommodation for staff, whilst permanent options are secured.\u201d<\/p>\n They added that there \u201care no alternative options\u201d to resolve the company\u2019s staff accommodation issues if the application is rejected.<\/p>\n However, the lack of any timeframe as to how \u201ctemporary\u201d the accommodation will be has raised concerns among Highland Council\u2019s transport team, which has objected to the proposals until further information can be provided.<\/p>\n They warned that the site\u2019s access via the Bealach na Ba road – which is part of the popular North Coast 500 tourist route – could pose issues without a more detailed timeline of the accommodation\u2019s projected use, as well further information on application\u2019s traffic impacts.<\/p>\n Lodging their objection, the council planning team said: \u201cThe site is accessed via a private road leading from the C1087 (Bealach na B\u00e0 Pass), a popular tourist route and part of the NC500. The accommodation is intended for staff and contractors working at the hatchery.<\/p>\n \u201cThe design statement indicates that the accommodation is temporary in nature, although no specific duration has been provided. The Transport Planning Team has reviewed the submitted documents and regrettably cannot support the application at this stage due to the lack of transport-related information.\u201d<\/p>\n They have requested more information about the road access and visibility splays at the site, specific dimensions for the area planned for parking and vehicle turning, clarification on drainage from the access and parking area, and a transport statement or assessment. They have also requested a traffic management plan for the construction phase..<\/p>\n They concluded: \u201cWe also recommend that the applicant confirms the intended duration of the temporary accommodation.\u201d<\/p>\n Find out more about planning applications that affect you at the Public Notice Portal<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n