Ardentinny Community Council – Page 5

October 5, 2019February 28, 2026

Local Councillor adds his voice to those opposing fish farm

At the September Ardentinny Community Council meeting Jann Garratt of the environmental group AfftheClyde gave her report on the group’s recent activities. They have also forged links with the Argyll & Bute Greens at both a local and national level.

In addition, Liberal Democrat Councillor, Alan Reid, when asked his opinion on the proposals responded that, as he had said at the previous CC meeting, he wanted to give Dawnfresh the opportunity to state their case. Therefore, he had offered them a number of dates for a proposed meeting. However, as he had heard nothing back and also considers the proposed siting of the farm to be in the wrong place as it requires faster flowing water, he is against the proposal.

Community Council Chair, Neil Robinson, confirmed that he writes to Dawnfresh on a weekly basis requesting an update on their plans, with no response to date. Similarly an invitation for residents to visit the farm seems to have been put on hold as those interested have heard nothing further.

AfftheClyde is looking for additional volunteers to help in its campaign work. They would particularly welcome those with expertise in aquaculture; legal; communications; and government lobbying. They can be contacted by email at afftheclyde@gmail.com or via any of their social media accounts.

July 7, 2019February 28, 2026

Emergency Planning

It was reported that Ardentinny’s community emergency plan is still at the preparation stage. At the last Community Council meeting on 1 July, CC secretary, Alistair McLundie said he planned to have it ready in time for the forthcoming winter.

Meanwhile HM Naval Base Clyde’s Off-Site Emergency Plan “is currently under review to ensure that recent changes in legislation – Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations REPPIR 2019 are captured within” (the plan), according to Argyll and Bute Council (ABC). Their Civil Contingencies Manager confirmed that once this review and update are complete, the plan will be uploaded to ABC’s website.

June 10, 2019February 28, 2026

#AfftheClyde hits the road

#AfftheClyde began its outreach programme on Saturday at Glenfinart Walled Garden’s ‘Garden Party’ table sale. Its information stall was well visited and volunteers garnered more signatures for its offline and online petitions.

The group plans to take its message to other fairs and galas across Cowal and would also welcome teaming up with counterpart groups at similar events on Bute and Cumbrae. Anyone wishing to join the group in its endeavours to oppose the Dawnfresh fish farm proposals at Ardentinny and on the Clyde can get in touch by email at afftheclyde@gmail.com or via their social media accounts.

Photos/text: AFFtheClyde.org

AFFtheClyde volunteers Ann Woods and Elaine Allan with Ardentinny Community Councillor Rob Bray

April 7, 2019February 28, 2026

Trout Farm Proposals – the next steps

At Ardentinny Community Council’s meeting of 1 April, agenda item 12 addressed the current position regarding the Dawnfresh Trout Farm proposals for Ardentinny and the Firth of Clyde. Convenor, Neil Robinson, stressed that the well attended public meeting on 11 March was not the official consultation but a pre-consultation meeting to gauge local feeling and answer questions. The Community Council will inform residents of dates for the official consultation in due course.

Dawnfresh Environmental Manager, Peter MacDougall has extended an invitation to anyone interested in visiting one of their fish farms to do so either via Ardentinny Community Council or direct. Also, results of their EIA Screening application to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park will be communicated to the local community when they become available. A resident suggested that Dawnfresh representatives had been a bit disingenuous at the public meeting when describing their activities on their other farms and that there have been a number of problems on Loch Etive, for example.

Neil Robinson went on to read a copy email from Lynn Kerr to community councils in and around the Clyde Estuary warning them of the potentially negative effects of the proposed fish farms off Cumbrae and Bute on all the wildlife in and around their shores. She invited them to collaborate, consult and share information ‘to present a united front against this threat to our wildlife and tourist economy’ and to provide a contact email so that everyone can be kept informed of developments.

As an extension to this, Marian Norris said that she would raise the issue at the next caucus of 11 community councils with the possibility of extending it to even more.

An email from Elaine Allan was then read inviting others who are against the proposed fish farms to come forward and form a working party with the aim of opposing the Dawnfresh proposals, which she also indicates in the poster (below).

March 30, 2019February 28, 2026

Fish Farm Opposition grows

There is growing opposition to Dawnfresh Trout Farm proposals for Ardentinny and the Firth of Clyde. As reported in the Largs and Millport Weekly News, The Clyde Mammal Marine Project opposes them for the potential negative effects on local porpoise and seal populations and a petition to stop the proposed Cumbrae fish farms has so far gathered 1,533 signatures. In addition, Clyde Mammal Marine Project has offered to present its project findings. There has also been an offer of support and advice for the Ardentinny community from the saveseilsound campaign group.

At the forthcoming Ardentinny community council meeting on Monday 1 April at 7 p.m. (agenda item 12) there will be an update on the Dawnfresh meeting of the 11th March and a proposal re. the formation of an opposition group.