A planned £100 million onshore salmon farm in Grimsby has hit a major legal hurdle after the High Court granted permission for a judicial review, following claims that animal welfare concerns were unlawfully dismissed during the planning approval process.
The proposed facility, led by AquaCultured Seafood, is designed to produce 5,000 tons of salmon per year and was set to become the UK’s first fully commercial-scale onshore salmon farm.
However, the animal rights charity, Animal Equality, has challenged the approval granted by North East Lincolnshire Council, alleging that the council’s planning officers misdirected their committee by ruling that animal welfare concerns could not be considered as material factors in the decision-making process.
During a hearing in Leeds, the High Court agreed to allow the judicial review, stating that it was arguable the council may have erred in its interpretation of the law. The case will now proceed to a full hearing.
The UK first now in jeopardy
The Grimsby facility, located near Blundell Park, home to Grimsby Town FC, spans 10 acres at the Port of Grimsby. It is designed to include 50 tanks with both freshwater and saltwater environments to house the salmon during their production cycle. Alongside the tanks, the facility will feature a fish processing line, feed storage units, a water treatment plant, and a dedicated energy center.
AquaCultured Seafood’s ambitious project was hailed as a significant investment in the region, projected to create 80 full-time jobs at full operational capacity and provide further employment opportunities during the construction phase. The development has been supported by multiple firms, including UMC Architects and Montagu Evans, and is part of a broader initiative to boost Grimsby’s position as a major hub for the seafood industry.
Animal welfare concerns irrelevant?
The judicial review will not only scrutinize the planning approval for the facility but could also set a precedent for how animal welfare considerations are factored into large-scale agricultural and aquaculture developments in the future. If the court sides with Animal Equality, it could force local authorities across the UK to more thoroughly assess animal welfare when reviewing similar projects.
While the court proceedings play out, the project remains in limbo, with the final outcome potentially delaying or even halting what was seen as a landmark development for the UK’s salmon farming industry.
The planning approval for the Grimsby facility, originally scheduled to be reviewed by North East Lincolnshire Council’s planning committee in November 2023, had been met with optimism, with an officer’s report recommending approval due to the significant economic benefits it would bring to the local area. These included job creation, local food processing support, and a boost to Grimsby’s seafood industry.
