A £120 million land-based salmon farming facility in Cleethorpes has received the go-ahead following a judicial review triggered by animal welfare objections.
The project, led by Aquacultured Seafood Ltd, had secured planning permission in November 2023 from North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) with a narrow vote of seven to four. However, construction was paused after the animal rights organisation Animal Equality UK launched a legal challenge, arguing that welfare concerns had not been sufficiently considered in the planning process.
The High Court has now upheld the council’s original approval, allowing the project to proceed. While the ruling enables development to move forward, the presiding judge indicated that animal welfare may carry greater weight in future planning decisions.
Spanning 10 acres in New Clee, the facility is expected to produce 5,000 tonnes of salmon annually and generate over 300 jobs during development, with around 100 roles to be permanent.
For the local authority, the project represents a major inward investment and a step toward more innovative aquaculture practices. The case marks a potential precedent for integrating ethical considerations into future planning frameworks.
