Salmon farm judicial review 'bad news' for area

Philip Jackson at Alexandra Docks, Grimsby

The leader of North East Lincolnshire Council has criticised attempts to stop a £120m onshore salmon farm.

Aquacultured Seafood LTD's plans for the UK’s first commercial-scale onshore salmon farm in Grimsby were approved in November 2023.

Animal rights group Animal Equality UK challenged the plans through legal proceedings and was granted a judicial review of the approval in September.

Councillor Philip Jackson described the judicial review as “bad news” for the area. Animal Equality UK said the disregard for animal welfare during the planning process was a “travesty”.

Critics also raised concerns about the farm's environmental impact, proximity to housing and the resort's beach.

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) was not required as part of the planning application.

The planning committee approved the salmon farm by seven votes to four, the lack of the EIA being given as a reason for the hesitancy by some councillors to support it.

The judicial review will postpone the construction on the project, and could potentially overturn the planning decision.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) Jackson told a council meeting: “I’m very disappointed that Animal Equality have issued proceedings effectively putting a stop on development for the time being.”

He said the council had an eye on “the wider benefits” of the scheme, such as jobs, skills, research, development, and the local economy. Jackson noted that the creation of 80 jobs is linked to the farm.

When fully operational 5,000 tonnes of fish a year are predicted to be produced from the site.

'Dangerous precedent'

The LDRS contacted Animal Equality UK for comment following the council leader’s remarks. Its executive director, Abigail Penny, said: “On-land fish mega-farm farms much like this one are already gaining a reputation for slim profit margins, serious financial struggles, and mass mortality events, where tanks crammed full of fish die en masse due to failed equipment or worker error.

“Not only do these tragic effects cause tremendous animal suffering, they also risk the long-term viability of the farm and any jobs associated with it.”

Ms Penney went on to say that disregarding animal welfare at the planning stages was a “travesty” and said: “This is a completely new type of factory farming and, if constructed, would set a dangerous precedent across the UK and the world.”

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