FMQs: Scottish Government urged to halt controversial industrial salmon farm at Loch Long
The First Minister has been urged to ensure local people are listened to in their campaign against destructive proposals for an industrial salmon farm development at Loch Long.
Scottish Green MSP Ariane Burgess has led a campaign that has seen over 4300 people lodging objections via a web portal created by the Scottish Greens.
The controversial proposal was rejected by the National Park Authority in 2022. It was appealed by the developers almost 12 months ago, with the Scottish Government taking the rare decision to “call” it in.
In her first question to the First Minister, Ms Burgess said:
“To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on when the Scottish Government expects to respond to the Loch Long salmon farm planning application."
In his response the First Minister did not provide a timeframe for the decision.
In her second question, Ms Burgess said:
“The industrial salmon farm development proposed for Loch Long will scar the loch's coastline and harm its wildlife.
“It has been opposed by the community, the local planning authority, and even the industry. But we have now been waiting over a year for the Government's response after the application was called in.
“First Minister - more than 4,000 people have written to the Government asking it to protect Loch Long from this damaging development. Will the First Minister personally ensure that my constituents voices will be listened to?”
Only 2 miles from Loch Lomond, at the heart of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Loch Long is an iconic landscape. It's home to seals, otters and seabirds, as well as linking with the Endrick Water Special Area of Conservation, which hosts a fragile population of endangered Atlantic Salmon.
The final decision now lies with the Scottish Government and Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison.