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Oban Bay pontoons given go ahead

A PROPOSAL to build pontoons with 60 short-stay berths and a floating concrete breakwater in Oban Bay has been approved, with 12 conditions.

At a planning hearing on Tuesday afternoon members of Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee also decided to drop a condition designed to give the plans a five-year time limit.

John MacGregor, chairman of Oban Bay Marine Ltd, the community company behind the plans, said that such condition would render the project 'stone dead'.

Mr McGregor said that expert advice recommended the best site for pontoons as between the North Pier and Railway Pier, with a floating concrete breakwater protecting the berths and a fixed walkway from the Railway Pier to a pontoon bridge.

Boats will access the pontoons from the north end using a 'traffic light system'.

'This is a glorious opportunity to regenerate Oban town centre.' he added.

Concerns were raised regarding strong winds and high waves, and the ability of fishing boats to manoeuvre.

Oban Port Users Association representative John McAlister, who owns a number of fishing vessels, said the fishing industry was being squeezed out of the Railway Pier. He said that he had already moved two boats to Mallaig and Campbeltown.

It was hinted by Councillors that a masterplan for Oban town centre and waterfront might be able to accommodate the fishermen elsewhere.

Oban Times

Thursday 13th November 2008

editorial

It is right to support energy and vision of pontoons plan

It is good news that the community company Oban Bay Marine Ltd has been given planning approval by Argyll and Bute Council to establish pontoons in the bay. It is generally agreed that Oban town centre badly needs investment and new life, and the proposal for 60 short-stay berths and a floating concrete breakwater reflects the kind of energy and vision that has to be supported. Tobermory has done very well out of its pontoons, so it is perfectly reasonable to assume that Oban will enjoy similar success.

Oban Port Users Association is right to flag up its concerns that the town's few remaining fishing boats appear to be being squeezed out. Hopefully, they can be properly accommodated elsewhere, and sooner rather than later. Oban Bay was once crammed with fishing boats; these days have probably gone for good, but we must not lose them altogether