Harbour eel farm and fish factory given go ahead

Lydney Town Council hopes the farm at the harbour would bring new jobs, housing, tourism and economic benefits

Major plans for a fish factory, eel farm, and restaurant at Lydney Harbour will go ahead.

Forest of Dean District Council has granted Severn and Wye Smokery Ltd permission to redevelop the Pine End Works site, north of Harbour Road, on Tuesday.

Their scheme includes a two-floor 221,700ft² (20,600m²) fish processing building, a 86,100ft² (8,000m²) eel farm, a restaurant, visitor centre, energy centre, and staff accommodation.

The council said its approval was very finely balanced given the proposals’ impact on the listed Naas House and its barn.

The decision had been pushed back from August due to the submission of late material, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

Officers told Tuesday's development management committee meeting that the development would be undertaken in phases, and recommended delegated permission be granted.

All three District Councillors for Lydney East spoke strongly in favour of the scheme

The fisheries employ more than 400 fishermen and it generates £2m for the local economy, Mr Cook added.

"The glass eel fishery is owned by the poor not the aristocracy," he said.

"Severnsiders have a right to fish.

"We are only custodians of this fishery, we do not own it.

"Without a well managed eel farm it would not only make the future of glass eel uncertain but the fisheries would diminish."

The plans were initially due to be approved in August, but material was submitted too late for the council to consider it

Carol Harris spoke on behalf of Lydney Town Council, and said the overall benefits to Lydney outweigh the concerns.

She reiterated the council’s support for the proposals and said it would bring new jobs, housing, tourism and economic benefits.

Councillor Simon Phelps said he firmly believed the scheme deserved their full support.

“It brings an opportunity to maintain a prestigious business within our district,” he said.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the proposals.