Few net gains from revised fish farm planning process

A pilot scheme to speed up fish farm permitting in Scotland was initially hampered by communication and administrative problems but is improving, according to a Scottish Government-commissioned study carried out by Orkney-based consultancy Aquatera Ltd.

The process was developed by a Consenting Task Group (CTG) established by the government following a report into fish farm regulation by Professor Russel Griggs three years ago.

It was piloted when dealing with applications for four fish farms within Shetland and Highland Council areas and aimed to address the inefficiencies in the current system by streamlining the pre-application stage, improving interagency coordination, and enhancing stakeholder and community engagement.

Four targets

In a report published this week, Aquatera said its evaluation focused on how effectively the pilot process delivered against four CTG targets:

• Minimising delays in the consenting process by removing unnecessary downtime, duplication, and non- value-added steps
• Providing fish farm developers with an early understanding of potential constraints
• Improving transparency and community engagement by ensuring an effective and meaningful opportunity for communities, consultees, and other interest groups
• Identifying any remaining issues or areas for further exploration within a continuous improvement project

Aquatera used a tailored online survey, plus semi-structured interviews with stakeholders – fish farmers, regulators, and others – to gauge the success of the pilots so far.

Analysis of the responses revealed a number of sub-themes, including calls for clearer guidance, improved communication, better-defined stakeholder roles, and concerns around administrative burden and resourcing. Positive feedback highlighted the potential for joint advice and integrated processes to improve predictability and clarity for applicants.

10 recommendations

Aquatera has developed 10 recommendations for the continual improvement of the pre-application process.

These include monitoring timelines to establish key timescale drivers and identify opportunities for improvement and consistency, and encourage all parties to use language which reflects a commitment to mutual learning and constructive dialogue.

The consultancy also suggests that a clear mechanism is established to ensure all parties are aware of and have access to most up to date templates and guidance. This follows responses from some stakeholders that relevant forms weren’t available to comply with the pilot.

Process champion

Aquaterea also recommends consulting stakeholders to explore the potential benefits and challenges associated with establishing an ‘independent process champion’ or ‘process coordinator’ to oversee the preapplication journey and wider planning process.

This could lead to improved consistency and continuity throughout the process, reducing the impacts of team/staff changes; improved communication between all parties; more collaborative problem solving and dialogue; a single point of contact; a dedicated website or area within a website for template and guidance updates and procedural changes; management of key points of contact; and facilitation and delivery of continuous improvement.

Early engagement

It also suggests providing guidance on, and promoting best practice around early-stage engagement with consultees and communities to get them involved at the earliest possible stage. This would help to “frame consultation as an ongoing, iterative process rather than a one- off requirement, promoting collaboration and ensuring local knowledge is integrated meaningfully into project development and planning processes”.

In conclusion, Aquatera states: “Across all four outcomes - minimising delays, supporting early understanding, improving engagement, and driving continuous improvement – participants provided detailed feedback on where the consenting process works and where it needs further refinement.”

It adds: “Implementing these changes will help build a more transparent, efficient, and collaborative process - one that supports timely decision-making while maintaining the quality, clarity, and integrity of engagement with all parties involved.”