Mowi lodges application to relocate fish farm on Loch Ness to enable construction of £550 million Red John pumped storage hydro scheme near Dores after previous move led to enforcement notice
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The owners of a fish farm on Loch Ness have submitted an application for its relocation after previously sparking fury when it was moved to a new site without planning permission.
The fish farm, owned by Mowi, needs to be moved to enable construction of the £550 million Red John pumped storage hydro scheme near Dores.
But its relocation to an unauthorised site 220m away sparked anger among residents last summer.
It was moved back to its original position this year after Highland Council issued an enforcement notice.
Fish farm on Loch Ness relocated after owner served with enforcement notice
Mowi has now submitted an application to relocate it 160m to the north east of its current location.
In a supporting document, it states: “The proposed location will maintain the same alignment and distance from the shore as the existing fish farm location.
“The relocation is required in order to facilitate the implementation works for the Red John Pumped Storage Hydro Scheme (PSH).
“The location of the fish farm is at present within the construction footprint of the proposed outfall for the PSH scheme.”
No new equipment is being introduced and the surface area of equipment will remain as existing.
The farm, which includes cages used for smolts, or young salmon, has been at the site for 30 years.
A spokesman for Mowi said: “To support the approved planning permissions that will see improvements to a local green energy project, and after continued consultation with the hydro proponent, landowner, local and regional councils, our company has submitted planning that sees a slight adjustment of the farm location to help accommodate the needed works.
“The desired location is only a minor variance from the current location and will see the farm infrastructure remaining in a similar alignment and distance from the shore, as has been the location for the past 30 years.”
John Martin, chairman of Dores and Essich Community Council, is aware of the application.
“Taking it at face value, we currently have no concerns,” he said. “But we will need to examine it.”
