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SHETLAND Islands Council's Planning Service has been working with Argyll and Bute, Western Isles, Orkney and Highland to streamline planning processes for aquaculture so that they match up with the existing land planning system. This includes the introduction of online applications and a standardised application form that can be used Scotland-wide.
This is part of the Scottish Government's initiative to Deliver Planning Reform for Aquaculture (DPRFA); representatives of the five local authorities which share aquaculture interests have met in Shetland to discuss the improvements.
DPRFA aims to fine tune the planning process to aid the sustainable economic growth of the salmon and mussel farming sectors.
Through the combined efforts of the local authorities to address the application and decision-making processes, the aquaculture industry and the Scottish Government have both acknowledged that the planning system in Scotland actively supports economic growth.
SIC head of planning, Iain McDiarmid, said: "The aquaculture industry makes a major contribution to the economy of Shetland and provides vital employment in rural and remote areas. By streamlining the planning process we hope to encourage further investment and create more local jobs.
"Shetland has long been recognised as a centre of expertise in aquaculture and we have led the way in granting permissions for aquaculture developments. We will continue to collaborate with the other four local authorities through annual meetings to further improve planning processes."
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