Mowi Scotland is appealing a June 15 decision that prevents it from expanding the capacity of its salmon farm on the west coast of Scotland.
The company said the decision of the local planning committee to reject the application was not evidence-based.
“As we outlined in our planning application the benefits of fewer, larger pens are evident and include reduced visual impacts, operational efficiencies, reduced fish stocking densities and improved health and welfare for our salmon,” Stephen MacIntyre, head of environment at Mowi Scotland, told Press and Journal.
He said Mowi has seen the benefits of these types of upgrades at its other farms.
The salmon farm at Loch Hourn currently hosts seven 520-ft circular pens and are stocked with juvenile salmon in line with the planning authority’s limitation of 2,500 tonnes of production, the publication said.
Mowi initially applied to Highland Council for permission to increase production by 25 percent to 3,100 tonnes, but it later reduced it to 2,750 tonnes.
The council’s reasons for rejecting the application include concerns about sea lice.
