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| Code: SARF040 Title: Review of Marine Fish Farm EIA Thresholds Start Date: 10th March 2008 End Date: 10th November 2008 Main Contractor(s): Aurora Environmental Ltd Other Sponsor(s): Scottish Government and Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) |
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| Objectives: 1. To examine current thresholds within EIA Regulations with respect to marine fish farming. 2. To investigate whether current EIA screening thresholds are appropriate in terms of environmental protection and make any necessary recommendations for their amendment. 3. To examine the environmental significance of any proposed changes to thresholds. 4. To examine the scope of permitted development rights (PDRs) and explore the likelihood of introducing PDRs for fish farming in terms of delivering net environmental benefits, fish welfare, fish health benefits, and flexibility for operating practices. 5. To investigate the level of change in fish farm infrastructure that might be permitted through any PDRs and the environmental significance of any PDR options |
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| Project Summary:In Scotland determining the
requirement for environmental impact assessment (EIA) for proposed
"intensive" fish farming development projects fall under the
requirements of The Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999
(as amended by The Town and Country Planning (Marine Fish Farming)(Scotland)
Order 2007). Such developments are listed under Schedule 2 of the Regulations
for which a number of thresholds are provided. These thresholds help determine
whether an EIA is required e.g. if a "proposed development extends to
0.1hectare or more of the surface area of the marine waters…" then it
is likely to require an environmental assessment. This research will
investigate current threshold limits within Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) Regulations, both within Scotland and other relevant European countries,
with respect to "intensive" fish farming. Thresholds, in particular
those relating to 'area base', as apposed to 'tonnage base', will be examined
to ascertain whether such thresholds can be amended and whether, as a result of
any amendments, permitted development rights (PDRs) could be applied. Permitted
Development is development which is exempt from the provisions of Town and
Country Planning EIA Regulations i.e. developments for which planning
permission have already granted. PDRs are not currently applicable to fish farm
developments |