Save Loch Long

Long Long is renowned for its natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage. But now it’s under serious threat from an industrial salmon farm development which could scar the loch's pristine coastline and badly harm its wildlife.

Sitting just 2 miles from Loch Lomond at the heart of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Loch Long is an iconic landscape. It's home to a broad range of marine life like seals, otters and seabirds, as well as linking with the Endrick Water Special Area of Conservation, which hosts a fragile population of endangered Atlantic Salmon.

This large, industrial development puts these fragile ecosystems at risk through the disease and parasites linked to salmon farms, the effluent and waste they produce entering the environment, and the lack of clarity provided around deforestation at the site.

There’s already strong opposition from local residents and environmental groups, as well as the National Park Authority which has refused the application, citing its harmful impact to the landscape, wildlife and community.

But now the developers are appealing directly to the Scottish Government, and the final decision will lie with them.

Help protect Loch Long by emailing the Scottish Minister Ivan McKee MSP today and urging him to reject this harmful proposal. Together, we can ensure this iconic landscape and its wildlife are preserved for future generations.

Tell the Scottish Government to reject the development and save Loch Long

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Dear Ivan McKee MSP,

I am writing to request you refuse the appeal of the proposed salmon farm development at Beinn Reithe, Loch Long, as outlined in Planning Application 2021/0357/DET and you ensure this harmful development does not go ahead.

This area is part of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park; a place renowned for its natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage. The proposed development would permanently damage this unique landscape as it has an industrial appearance that would ruin the undeveloped coastline and disrupt the spectacular views that both locals and visitors cherish. National Planning Framework 4 states that development proposals for fish farms will only be supported where impacts on landscape and visual impact, on natural heritage and from land-based facilities have been mitigated. The case cannot be made that these impacts have been mitigated in this proposal. The National Park Authority’s reasons for refusal included that the proposed development would not comply with Overarching Policy 1, Overarching Policy 2 or Natural Environment Policy 1 of the Local Development Plan as ‘it would not relate well to the landscape context and setting and would not be sympathetic to local built forms’.

The risks to the environment are particularly alarming. The development poses a serious threat to wild salmon populations in the Endrick Water SAC, already under pressure from habitat loss and climate change. The untested technology proposed for this project introduces unacceptable risks of salmon escaping into wild populations, potentially devastating fragile ecosystems. After careful consideration of the evidence, The National Park Authority stated that it would not be in alignment with the National Marine Plan policies and objectives. Specifically, the development would not be in alignment with National Marine Plan Aquaculture Policy 5 ‘that aquaculture developments should avoid and/or mitigate adverse impacts on the seascape, landscape and visual amenity of an area’ and Objective 2 for Wild Salmon and Diadromous Fish to maintain healthy salmon and diadromous fish stocks.

There are also concerns about the insufficient information provided regarding woodland removal and compensatory planting. The potential loss of woodland goes against the Scottish Government‘s Control of Woodland Removal Policy and could lead to further environmental harm.

The National Planning Framework 4 states that “Development proposals for aquaculture will be supported where they comply with the LDP, the National Marine Plan and, where relevant, the appropriate Regional Marine Plan.” The test has not been met in this application. If the fish farm was permitted, despite the above-mentioned policies in NPF4 and the statutory plans, this would be an issue of serious national significance.

Locals and visitors use Loch Long for recreational activities such as walking, swimming, and enjoying its peaceful surroundings. This development would disrupt the area with noise, visual pollution, and environmental damage, undermining the very qualities that make it special. Additionally, it could deter visitors, affecting the local economy, which relies on tourism.

The proposed site also conflicts with policies designed to protect marine and coastal environments. Effluent and waste from such developments could damage marine ecosystems, affecting wildlife such as seals, otters, and seabirds. This is contrary to the National Park‘s goal of conserving its natural heritage.

I urge you to consider the significant damage this development would cause to the local community, livelihoods, and nature. Please uphold the decision of the National Park Authority and reject this proposal to protect Loch Long for future generations.

For more information, see:

Planning e-portal 2021/0357/DET | Installation of a Marine Fish Farm and associated development including shore base, slipway and pontoon and road upgrades | Beinn Reithe Loch Long

Yours sincerely, 
[Your Name]

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Tell the Scottish Government to reject the development and save Loch Long

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