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78. Three factors tend to make marine fish farm development controversial. The first is the close correspondence between the best fish farm development sites and those landscapes deemed to be of national or regional importance. The second is the introduction of development for the first time to areas that previously were almost totally undeveloped. The third is the industrial character of some fish farm installations, which may intrude upon surrounding areas.
79. Although comparatively few applications for wholly new salmon farms are expected, changes in husbandry may bring the development of new sites. In particular, the growing recognition of the need for fallowing will lead to pressure for additional sites in close proximity to existing shorebases. There are also signs of a need to develop and expand shorebase facilities. This is due partly to the general increase in scale of operations, and partly to new environmental, hygiene and health and safety requirements, for example for laboratories, holding tanks and improved staff facilities.
80. Restructuring within the industry brings a risk of abandonment, with possible adverse consequences for visual amenity. However, it also offers the opportunity to relocate existing, poorly sited marine fish farms.
Landscape Assessment
81. In the preparation of framework plans for marine fish farming, planning authorities may undertake assessments of landscape character and quality. Such evaluations explain exactly why certain landscapes require special protection. This enables regulatory bodies to take better and more consistent decisions while, at the same time, giving the intending developer specific guidance as to the landscape constraints and issues that apply in different areas.
Identifying Visual Impact
82. The developer should consider the landscape setting for any new development as early as possible in the site selection and lease application process. A first step should be to determine which designations apply. If it seems that any designation or other special landscapes will be affected, approaches should be made to the Crown Estate, the planning authority, and Scottish Natural Heritage, to clarify what the landscape constraints may be.
83. For sensitive sites, and particularly where a marine fish farm application requires an Environmental Assessment, the developer should commission a landscape assessment of the proposed project. This should describe :
84. An initial assessment may evaluate the relative merits of alternative sites. A fuller assessment can then be undertaken for the preferred site, and can help in the identification and mitigation of visual impacts. Some of the factors that should be considered in the landscape assessment are outlined below.
Landscape and Visual Factors
85. Visibility is determined partly by local topography and vegetation, which can screen or expose a marine fish farm, and partly by public use and access. Distance and angle of view are also relevant. For example, tank farms and cage sites can be prominent in elevated panoramic views, whereas in distant low-level views topographic screening or camouflage effects may greatly reduce their visibility.
86. Choice of material can influence the visual impact of marine fish farm development. In general, light, bright and reflective materials draw the eye, whereas dark, subdued, matt colours do not because they resemble more closely the natural colours of land and water. Light conditions, also, can affect appearance. For instance, a cage site on open water, viewed from the north, will usually be seen in silhouette, against bright water, so that the use of light-coloured netting may be appropriate. The same site seen against the dark backdrop of the loch shore, could be obtrusive.
Siting and Design
87. Once the general location of a new marine fish farm has been determined and the key landscape and visual issues have been identified, attention turns to more detailed siting and design considerations. Ideally, the developer should :
Water-based Development
88. Layout and scale should reflect the local landform and coastal configuration, for example, emphasising a headland or spur or mimicking coastal skerries. In general, an irregular pattern, with cage groups of variable size, suits a complex coastline; while a compact or linear pattern suits a simple coastline.
89. Where the shore is comparatively flat, the main views are low level ones and distance and backdrop become the most important factors. In these circumstances, the least visible sites will be those located far from the shore, preferably against a backdrop of land. Better still, they may be hidden behind headlands or islands. Wherever the loch shore is steeply sloping and there are high level views, the site may be obscured by siting it close inshore, where views are blocked by the shore itself or by tree cover. New or existing tree planting may also afford screening, although the scope here is often more limited, given the open and exposed character of many coastal landscapes in Scotland.
90. In attempting to satisfy visual amenity considerations, in some cases, conflict may arise with respect to dispersal of wastes and pollution prevention and a judgements based on balancing the relative impacts will be necessary.
Land-based Development
91. On land, marine fish farm structures include jetties, offices and stores, hatcheries, net drying and cleaning equipment, shore-based feeding systems and outdoor tanks. Good sites are often in hollows or enclosed bays, sheltered and screened by existing vegetation. Wherever possible, it is wise to :
In addition, any direct damage to existing features of landscape interest such as woodlands, cliffs or beaches, should be avoided.
92. Any new buildings should relate well to the landform - for example, they may lie parallel with the contours and be set into the hillside to reduce visibility from both land and water. Similarly, access roads, parking and working areas should be sensitively handled. Levelling and ground-modelling should be kept to a minimum.
93. When considering locations for marine water tank farms, use should be made of available screening, as they often have an industrial character which is intrusive in coastal areas. If no existing cover is available, new planting should be considered and may need to be extensive. Another option is to set the tanks into the ground, or construct peripheral screening mounds. However, such sites are often exposed because they are sited next to the foreshore. The best screening option is usually to set tanks or buildings as low as possible, taking advantage of any topographic screening afforded by headlands, steeply shelving slopes, and roadside walls or hedges.
Designing Facilities
94. In general :
95. Many sites and especially those in sensitive scenic and tourist areas, will merit landscaping :
96. When devising planting schemes site specific advice on the appropriate vegetation should be sought from the local SNH office and local authority, where the aim, should be to create natural/semi-natural habitats in line with, for example, the local biodiversity action plan (LBAP). In any event, look at what already grows successfully in the locality and take care to choose species that are tolerant of salt winds and exposure.
97. Marine fish farms often attract considerable interest from the public and it may be worth considering at least limited visitor provision at sites near popular tourist attractions. This can help direct visitors away from operational areas where they may bring security or disease risks. A few sites may have potential as tourist attractions in their own right, requiring special visitor facilities, but in the majority of cases simple low-key provision will be more appropriate.
Operation and Management
98. Day-to-day operations and management are also important considerations. It should be remembered that even the most sheltered and well-screened site is visible from the water; and that the foreshore, where most marine fish farming activity takes place, is often a focus for recreational activity too.
99. There is scope on almost every marine fish farm to improve appearance through better site management and where necessary through a programme of visual improvements. Much can be achieved through common sense measures at comparatively low cost.
100. At some sites, the most visible feature from a distance is vehicles and parking, which may include staff and company vehicles, forklift trucks and other lifting gear. Consideration should be given to parking provision during site planning.
101. Where new tree planting has been undertaken, its success will often depend upon subsequent maintenance. Similarly, where existing woodland provides a framework or screen, its long term management is essential if the screen is to be effective.
102. If all or part of a marine fish farm should cease operation, all disused equipment on both dry land and the seabed, in the water column and on the surface should be removed as soon as possible. The conditions attached to seabed leases will normally include a decommissioning requirement.
103. Enquiries about this Advice Note should be addressed to
Gillian Moynihan (0131 244 6223),
SERAD,
Room 401,
Pentland House,
47 Robb’s Loan,
Edinburgh EH14 1TY.
The guidance is available on the Scottish Executive web site and further copies can be obtained from Ann Baldwin (0131 244 6225).
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