Hillswick mussel farm refused

SHETLAND’S largest aquaculture business has been refused permission to site a mussel farm off Hillswick.

Hjaltland Seafarms applied for permission to site three double head rope longlines, each measuring 330 metres, off the Ness of Hamar, in Urafirth, opposite the Ness of Hillswick.

The council’s marine planners had recommended the plans be approved, but after hearing objections from Northmaven Community Council and local man James Duncan the council’s planning board turned the application down.

The objectors argued that the site was subject to powerful waves that could easily break up the mussel lines, posing a hazard to shipping and leaving debris that would be difficult to clear from an inaccessible area.

They also said the company had a poor record in the area, anchoring equipment outside the area they were permitted to use.

The company responded that the equipment they deployed would be strong enough to withstand the waves and that they had only been operating in the area for 12 months, and were in the process of improving their performance.