Kurt Larson, owner of Kingairloch Estate, told Highland Council that he afraid to invest thousands of pounds if Marine Harvest renew and modify its lease for the site on Loch a’Choire, Lochaber. The Council said that the leas be given for smaller area and with certain conditions.
Michael Fixley, local councilor and Ian Thornber, ex-councilor, have lend strong support for the application along with the area director for Highlands and Islands Enterprise Lochaber. Larson opined that four out of eight holidays homes on his land look out on to the fish farm and it affects his plans to “major” on the accommodation.
He further adds that the present fish farm in the area has threatened his plan to restore migratory fish stocks and has argued that his proposals will create more jobs than the farm. He informed that he is considering mussel production on a smaller scale near the mouth of the loch at the north side as an alternative.
Now the Crown Estate, the final say on the issue, is expected to give its verdict on next Tuesday. Larson now said that he is ready to take back his objections in return for compensation which reflects some of the estate’s lost commercial potential – estimated at about £25,000 per annum. But sadly the proposal has been rejected.
