Applicant Bakkafrost Scotland, which has more than 40 sites across Scotland, was granted approval to build the Denham Youd-designed complex for breeding salmon smolts.

It is hoped that the construction process could generate 264 full-time jobs whilst the operation of the development could generate 15 direct jobs and 35 jobs in the supply chain in North Ayrshire.

The site is in the north-east corner of the Hunterston Construction Yard and will be approximately 6.75ha in area, including an existing access road from the south and a route between the main part of the site and a jetty to the north-west. The actual complex itself would be within a roughly rectangular area, some 3.3ha, in the north-west corner.

Known as a Recirculated Aquaculture System, the complex would be enclosed by a steel weldmesh security fence between 2m and 3m in height. Within the complex would be buildings for the various stages of fish development.

Hunterston is a key site within National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) – the Scottish Government’s strategy for development across the country - and the council, along with partners Peel Ports Group, Scottish Enterprise, Crown Estates and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority as part of a wider strategic stakeholder working group are looking to maximise investment following nuclear decommissioning at Hunterston.

This Ayrshire Growth Deal project – which has a critical role in Scotland’s Energy, Blue Economy, Offshore Wind and the Circular Economy – will be supported by funding from the UK Government.

Councillor Tony Gurney, cabinet member for Green Environment and Economy, said: “We welcome this decision by the Planning Committee and look forward to seeing the development come to fruition over the coming months. Hunterston is one of our key strategic sites and aims to play a key role in the country’s transition to net-zero by 2045. The site has incredible potential, and could become Scotland’s driving force in tackling climate change, creating jobs, regenerating the local community and so much more.”

Councillor Robert Foster, chair of the Planning Committee, said: “These are exciting plans and following consideration, we were pleased to approve the proposals. We look forward to things progressing in the coming months.”