The siting and design of aquaculture in the landscape: visual and ...

The likely visual impact of proposed onshore and water-based developments from the most
frequently visited or most sensitive viewpoints should also be considered. Such viewpoints include:
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Established settlements
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Well used vantage points
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Sites or villages of historic, architectural or cultural importance where the wider landscape
setting is important for visitor experience
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Views from a popular road or a route promoted as a tourist attraction
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Coastal footpaths
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Popular ferry routes
Applicants are strongly recommended to consult with the local planning authority to identify and
agree the significant viewpoints in advance of undertaking a detailed visibility analysis.
In some circumstances it may be inappropriate to locate development within sight of a significant
viewpoint. This can only be determined on an individual case basis. If in doubt, potential developers
should consult with the planning authority, SNH or Historic Scotland as appropriate at an early
stage.
Further information on undertaking a visual assessment for aquaculture development see Section 4
of this guidance on pages XX.
2.11 Cumulative development
Where there is existing aquaculture, both new proposals and extensions to existing developments
may be more difficult to accommodate within the landscape. Planning authority supplementary
guidance may include spatial plans which identify coastal areas which cannot easily accommodate
additional aquaculture development because of potential cumulative landscape and visual, or
indeed other environmental, effects.
Alternatively, a planning authority may wish to promote the consolidation and expansion of
aquaculture in an existing developed area (or areas), to reduce development pressure or conflicts
of interest elsewhere. The planning policies, and associated spatial planning guidance, of the
relevant local authorities should help guide developers.
It may be that no aquaculture developments are apparent near the sites being considered, because
they have been temporarily removed or the lease and application have not yet been taken up.
Undeveloped sites need to be treated as developed sites when considering cumulative effects.
Information on both existing permissions and leases which may not yet be developed, and also
applications which are under consideration, can be obtained from the relevant national and local
government bodies.
Where more than one development is located within a single loch or bay then consistency in size, layout and design
ensures a better appearance.
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