The Scottish Government

Fish farming

Fish farming has an important role to play in the Scottish economy, particularly in the rural economies of the islands, as well as the mainland of north and west Scotland. To help separate the dual role that the Crown Estate had as landlord and regulator, the development of marine fishfarms (both shellfish and finfish) joined freshwater farms under the control of the planning system on 1 April 2007.

Policy summary

Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 22: Planning for Fish Farming provides policy on both marine and freshwater farms . The aim is to promote an aquaculture industry that is:

• sustainable
• diverse
• competitive
• economically viable

To help achieve these aims, planning authorities should support, encourage and make positive provision for the continued growth of fish farming in sustainable locations.

SPP Update

As part of the commitment to proportionate and practical planning polices, the Scottish Government is rationalising the Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) and National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) series into a single, shorter statement of national planning policy. The initial sections of the consolidated SPP were published in October 2008 as Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) covering the core principles, aspirations and expectations of the planning system. The remaining sections of the consolidated SPP, covering community engagement, sustainable development, outcomes and the subject policies, were published for consultation in April 2009. The consultation closed in June 2009. A further consultation on changes to the sustainable development, climate change, flooding and coastal planning sections and to policy on onshore oil and gas operations and high amenity business locations ran fron September 30, 2009 until November 12, 2009. The final consolidated SPP will at published by the end of 2009. More information on the consolidation is available on the SPP home page.