More evidence and closing statement still to be submitted to Bute’s Inchmarnock Fish Farm inquiry

The public evidence given to the inquiry into the planning application to establish a fish farm off Bute’s Inchmarnock Island has come to an end.

However, not all submissions have yet been heard. John McGhee, QC for the objectors – Stop the Inchmarnock Fish Farm (STIFF), indicated that he was quite happy for twenty-one other witness statements to be given through written precognitions. These statements include that of Christine McArthur, Secretary of STIFF. The objectors have also been given until 10th March to submit their closing statement.

John Campbell, QC for the applicants, then has a further three days to submit his closing statement for Offshore Farm Developments (OFD).

The Reporter, Mr Michael Culshaw, will be doing site visits to a number of locations on 12th March before preparing his conclusions.

The final public evidence sessions heard Mr Ian Kelly, a Planning Consultant, a witness for the applicants and Mr Kenny McNab, chairman of the Clyde Fisheries Association, a witness for the objectors.

Mr Kelly was critical of the report prepared by the Council’s Planning Department for Bute and Cowal Councilors – which they rejected. He said that the report did not address the economic benefit of the proposal and  described it as lacking an ‘analytical or evidential basis for its conclusions’.

Under cross-examinationm Mr David Eaglesham, Leader of the Council’s Area Planning Team, admitted that ‘certain of those criticisms are valid’.

Mr McNab’s evidence focused on scallop dredging off he north end of Inchmarnock which he described as an important site for such fishing, being one of only two such sites in the Firth of Clyde sheltered from southerly winds. He valued scallop dredging as being worth around £86,400pa  to Tarbert and Carradale on the west coast of Loch Fyne, declaring that the economy of both these villages depends on the scallop catches.

The Buteman online will publish early next week a summary of the public hearings and will also carry this in its print issue  to be published on 5th March.