FLAGSHIP DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The Local Development Plan contains policies, proposals and land allocations which promote the development of: High Quality Places; A Diverse and Sustainable Economy; Connected Places; Sustainable Communities; Homes for People; and a High Quality Environment.
The Local Development Plan provides the development strategy against which physical development proposals are assessed.
The Proposed Local Development Plan 2 identifies:
Helensburgh and Lomond has been identified as a growth area in the spatial strategy, this is based on the Councils stated aim that Argyll and Bute’s economic success is built on: a growing population, and the opportunities which the Helensburgh and Lomond area provide to achieve this. The development of HMNB Clyde as the UK’s single submarine base by 2025 provides significant opportunities to achieve this, in that it will result in a significant increase of around 1700 new naval staff and their families by 2030, will provide ongoing opportunities for associated civilian construction projects, as well as the potential to create employment in supply chain, servicing and support businesses. These coupled with the areas proximity and connectivity to Glasgow and the central belt, and its high quality environment make it a potentially attractive location for commuters and for further growth in tourism. The opportunities to adopt a flexible, sustainable approach to growth opportunities in the Helensburgh area are potentially limited by the greenbelt which has been established to contain the expansion of settlements and retain their landscape setting in the long term. However if the area increases its population and creates employment opportunities as is anticipated, the Green Belt will come under pressure at some stage in the future. There is currently sufficient development land identified in the LDP2 to avoid immediate need for a review of the Green Belt. However, there is also merit in exploring how Helensburgh and Lomond can develop over a 20-40 year period in order to plan appropriate infrastructure, encourage further investment, and consider, if and how a Green Belt review would be necessary. By adopting a 20 to 40 year time frame this will help secure Helensburgh’s long term future and avoid the need for frequent boundary reviews of the Greenbelt.
Oban is situated at the heart of the Tobermory to Dalmally growth corridor identified in the LDP2 spatial strategy. This growth corridor takes advantage of the existing transport infrastructure with the A85 Trunk road, Glasgow – Oban rail line, Oban Airport, ferry services to the isles and with a strategic transport hub in Oban. It also contains a generally younger more economically active population profile providing a good base from which to grow the population in Argyll and Bute. The corridor contains a number of tourist attractions and destinations such as Bonawe Iron works, Cruachan Dam, Tobermory and Oban harbours and the outstanding marine environment of the wider west coast. The Oban area also includes growth nodes such as Dunbeg together with the vibrant villages of North Connel, Connel, Taynuilt, Dalmally and Benderloch.
Pumped storage hydroelectricity is where energy from different sources is stored in the form of gravitational potential energy of water (water that has been pumped from a lower level reservoir to a higher one, generally using off-peak power). This potential energy is released at times of high electrical demand by letting the water flow back downhill through turbines to produce electric power. Although this system is a net user of energy it is important as it allows energy from sources such as solar, wind and other renewables, which are intermittent in nature, to be saved for when it is needed. Also sources that run continuously (such as nuclear or coal) may produce excess energy at off-peak times, which can be saved through pumped storage for times when the demand is high. This form of energy storage is needed, to support our security of energy supplies, diversity of supplies and to reduce carbon emissions. This will help to balance electricity supply and demand when we have a much greater proportion of electricity from renewable energy technologies, providing a means to manage more intermittent electricity generation from those sources.
There are a range of challenges to be met in order to realise our full economic potential. Recognition is given to the specific issues in the Economically Fragile Areas, remote and island areas with a more flexible approach to economic development being taken in these areas. The strategic regeneration and environmental improvement aims with a particular focus on Dunoon, Rothesay and Campbeltown will support the delivery of an inclusive economy. The natural and built environments are both key to the economic success of the area. It is, therefore, important that new development safeguards these assets and, where appropriate, seeks to enhance Argyll and Bute’s rich resource. The important role played by windfall development to support the economy of our rural and island areas is recognised. This is due in part to the nature of many industries in Argyll and Bute, which are closely related to a natural or localised resource e.g. aquaculture, renewables, distilleries, tourism and in part due to the nature of our remote rural area.
Sandbank Business Park; Faslane (nr Helensburgh); Lochgilphead Industrial and Business Park; Machrihanish Green and Blue Technology Hub; Barcaldine Marine Industries, European Marine Science Park (Dunbeg);
The SEILs have been selected because they are the key locations to promote the Priority Sectors and Highland and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise locational priorities, and are in sustainable locations as follows and shown on the proposals maps; Sandbank, Faslane, Lochgilphead, Machrihanish, Barcaldine and Dunbeg;.
Airports and Air Services
The Council operates three Council airports at Oban, Coll and Colonsay
We provide fire cover at all three airports as licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority and regulated through audits regularly.
We provide fire training internally and externally to external organisations to generate income (to pilots, housing associations, Northern Lighthouse Board, Dunstaffanage Marina etc).
There is a provision of Flight Information Service at Oban Airport through the airport tower.
We support aircraft landings of general aviation aircraft, military, coastguard, Scottish Air Ambulance and Scottish Police at Oban airport.
The Council pursues income through developing technologies (Drone Technology).
There is a provision of aviation fuel supply to visiting aircraft at Oban airport to generate income.
