Proposed Cleethorpes salmon 'farm' could face competition from rival venture in Wiltshire

 

The site earmarked for the proposed Cleethorpes salmon farm. Will it really create 80 'well-paid' jobs?

HOPES of a jobs bonanza from the proposed indoor salmon 'farm' in Cleethorpes may be misplaced.

In presentations about the project, prospective developer Aquacultured Seafood Ltd has indicated that up to 80 posts could be in the offing.

And, at last month's full meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council, leader Cllr Philip Jackson enthused that the operatives would be "well paid".

But now another firm, Coldwater Salmon Ltd,  has emerged as a potential competitor.

It intends to set up a similar venture, then run it with . . . just three staff.

Coldwater has taken over the 25-hectare Barford Fish Farm, near Salisbury, in Wiltshire, which was established some 40 years by the 8th Earl of Radnor.

Historically, the farm bred and reared trout for release into English rivers.

Its water recirculation system is not dissimilar similar to that proposed in Cleethorpes by Aquacultured, but using the River Avon as opposed to the Humber.

However, before it can proceed on the first stage of its proposal to convert from trout to salmon, Coldwater must secure planning consent to install a giant steel canopy over 0.72 hectares of the existing fish farm.

It says this is essential to prevent bacteria and other contamination - notably from bird droppings - entering the ponds and spoiling the taste of the fish.

Wiltshire Council planners are expected to determine the application later this year.

The Grimsby News says: At least in its first phase, the Wiltshire project is not as expansive as the one proposed locally, but the fact that just three jobs are envisaged inevitably sparks doubts about whether the Cleethorpes venture would really bring as much of an employment windfall as some are claiming. Margins are slim in livestock food production, and there is already an over-supply of salmon to British shops and restaurants. High staff wages would inevitably  weaken profit margins for  Aquacultured's directors. And that is always assuming, of course, that they can raise the £75-million required to get the Cleethorpes facility up and running in the first place.