The Earl of Dundonaldasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is in order for the Crown Estate Commissioner to license the erection and mooring of up to 24 large commercial fish breeding cages in Achnacree Bay, Loch Etive, without, apparently, consulting any interested parties including the local authorities, the Awe River Authority or the owner of the sea loch fishing, bearing in mind that the locality is classified as being of outstanding natural beauty.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Gray of Contin)As the proposed development is to take place below the low water mark there is no statutory or legal requirement for the Crown Estate Commissioners to consult the individuals or bodies referred to before granting a lease.
The Crown Estate Commissioners have recently announced proposals to introduce a widened consultation procedure for new marine fish farms, which would require applications for leases to be advertised and local and other authorities to be notified. The proposed procedure is set out in a consultation paper which was issued by the Scottish Development Department on 19th March, 1986 and on which comments have been requested by 14th May.