Councillors call for public hearing over Carradale fish farm proposals

South Kintyre councillor John Armour said: “I have read through the report and what has come in from the Clyde Fishermen’s Association, and I have concerns.

“We are talking about 40 or 50 jobs with local fishermen. It may be a small percentage area that is going to be used here, but one of the most productive.

“A really good analogy was made in the supplementary pack, of a farmer having 40 acres, two of which were arable and the others less productive.

“Somebody then comes and builds a shop on those two acres and makes the farm unviable. I share those concerns.

“The Clyde Fishermen’s Association are not against fish farms in any way, and the work MOWI does in providing jobs throughout Argyll and Bute is absolutely essential to the economy of the area.

“My concern is that the area in question is one of the most productive for our fishermen, and it is them we need to hear from here.

“I know one who has served for over 50 years. They know these waters better than anybody else, so I am going to propose we have a pre-determination hearing before we make any decision on this.”

Councillor Andrew Kain of the Oban South and the Isles ward responded: “While there are issues around it, this is an existing fish farm and it looks like MOWI has worked to mitigate the issues. I would be quite happy to support this as it seems they have gone a long way.”

A roll call vote among the nine councillors present saw Councillor Armour’s motion to stage a hearing prevail by six votes to three for the Carradale South plan.

The same vote was held for the Carradale North plan, with the same result. Arrangements for the public hearing will be published by the council in due course.