A fishery near Dumfries that has been targeted repeatedly by poachers is to step up its security.
The owners of Alderneuk Fishery in Terregles will soon be able to keep a closer eye on their site after being given the go-ahead for an expansion of the business.
They have been given planning permission by the council to build a new house, cafe, shop and four motorhome hook-up points on the site.
A fish hatchery with hatchery building, tanks and a pond, an accessible fishing platform and the installation of a sewerage treatment plant were also approved at the planning committee last Wednesday.
Officers had recommended that the proposals be rejected, insisting that the building of a new house was not essential for the running of the business.
However, Councillor Iain Howie spoke on behalf of the owners and argued otherwise.
The former police crime prevention officer said: “Alderneuk has been subjected to high levels of crime and I believe the only effective way of preventing more is by maximising natural surveillance through the provision of a dwelling.”
He told members there had been poaching “on an industrial scale” at Alderneuk and added: “In 2018, over 400 fish valued at £5,000 were lost through poaching.
“Losses of this scale are unsustainable and put the viability of the business at risk.”
The family-run business has been operating since 2008 and making a “very modest income” at its current size.
Councillor John Young put forward a motion calling for the new house and business expansion plans to be approved.
He said: “The council’s priorities are to support small and medium-sized businesses to be established and to grow.
“Councillor Howie made an excellent point: the only way this business can grow and be secure is if there’s a dwelling house on the premsises.”
He was supported by Councillor Pauline Drysdale who said: “With the addition of a shop and more motorhomes coming into the area, it is indeed difficult to manage the security of a site such as this.”
The application was approved on a 6-5 vote.
