Little enthusiasm for Ardyne project
OVER sixty people packed into Innellan Village Hall for last Wednesday’s meeting of South Cowal Community Council.
The item generating such a high degree of public interest was a presentation of outline plans to develop the former McAlpine’s yard at Ardyne Point into a ‘mixed community’.
The plan as presented envisaged the creation of a development which would include a range of housing, a retail outlet, a hotel, small industrial units and a marina.
Opening the presentation, Elaine Troup, representing Turley Associates, the company employed by MacAlpine’s to put the project together, pointed out that the presentation was based on an outline plan, and much of the detail had yet to be put in place. She then handed over to Andrew Ramand of WSP Environmental Consultants, who spoke of the environmental impact of the development.
His presentation was comprehensive; the site would be subject to a full site examination prior to the commencement of any works. The state of the sheet piling around the basins was poor and it would be necessary to replace it. There were no important archaeological sites within the project, nor animal or bird habitats. A survey of increased vehicle traffic concluded that there would be a minimal deterioration of air quality, and sound levels would not be intrusive enough to be a nuisance.
The development would be in line with council policy. It would have minimal effect on water and drainage, and minimal visual impact.
It could bring about improved public transport via a link to the proposed ferry service between Ardyne and Port Bannatyne, and it would also boost the local population, with a positive effect on local schools and shops.
It would promote tourism, and could also benefit the range of activities at Castle Toward.
It would be at least a year before the detailed planning stage was reached.
The marina would have 220 berths and associated land-based facilities. There would be a mix of housing- up to 220 residential properties in total.
Asked who was behind the scheme, Julia Frost of Turley Associates said that the funding was being provided by Sir Robert McAlpine, who was the client. To date it had not been a cheap exercise, and when the detailed planning stage was reached it would get very expensive indeed; nor was it a development which would happen overnight.
Asked whether they had had any discussions with Scottish Water raised laughter from the floor- an indication of the regard in which the company seems to be held in the area. Mr Ramand said that they had been trying to set up a meeting, but Scottish Water had yet to come up with a date.
There was also worry over the traffic increase which would result from any ferry link between Ardyne and Port Bannatyne. However, a call for a show of hands for or against the concept of the ferry was inconclusive.
As the meeting progressed, it became obvious that the view that the present road infrastructure could cope with the increased traffic even in a ‘worst case’ scenario was the one issue which raised real concerns on the floor of the hall.
It was clear that many took the opposite stance, and there were also concerns about the disruption caused by the creation of the development itself, which the consultants pointed out would take place over a number of years. One lady pointed out that a much smaller development at Toward had been going only for two years, but had been considerably disruptive, and she did not welcome the prospect of disruption that this development would bring.
There was a further argument that a stand-alone marina would itself generate considerable income, and that the proposals were out of proportion to the existing infrastructure.
Asked the limits of the traffic survey, Mr Ramand said that it had ended at the junction of Auchamore Road and Wellington Street. This attracted some criticism, since it was felt that not enough attention had been paid to the impact of increased traffic on Dunoon Town Centre itself.
In answer to a question from the floor Ms Troup said that it was likely that to justify the cost of cleaning up the site McAlpine would view the whole package as the only viable alternative.
Councillor Dick Walsh said that he was constrained in what he could say because of planning rules, but said that there had been pressure on McAlpine for years to reinstate the site, the concerns had been ignored. He asked if the outline plans were an attempt to sell the site or a serious proposal to develop it.
Ms Frost said that it was important that the council look favourably on any proposals. To go straight to a detailed application would be very expensive, and it was critical to have the local community involved at all stages.
The post mortem on the meeting was far from positive. No one we spoke to felt that the plan was a viable option without a radical restructuring of the existing road, and it is difficult to see how that can be achieved without major disruption.
After the meeting Julia Frost commented: “Turley Associates’ welcome the good attendance at last night’s Community Council meeting presentation and the lively debate. We will shortly be providing a briefing note on the various questions raised direct to South Cowal Community Council for onward circulation. We thank South Cowal Community Council for allowing us to present at their regular monthly meeting”.


A storm in a tearoom at Blairmore
PLANS to open a cafe in a Loch Long village have dismayed some residents and visiting artists, who fear that it will spell the end of a popular local art gallery, which is combined with a coffee shop.
Gallimaufry Gallery in Blairmore is owned by Jean Thompson and Hilary Barr, who have built up an exhibition portfolio of well-known artists, both local and from further afield.
The gallery combines its exhibition facilities with the sale of locally-made jewellery and cards, and also operates a tearoom with a modest menu featuring items such as soup and scones.
However the owners claim that the business, one of only three surviving retail outlets in Blairmore, would have to close if plans to open a new operation only yards away come to fruition.
The driving force behind the new business is Agnes Harvey, sole director of Blairmore Heritage Ltd, who rose to prominence locally with her successful attempt to gain funding to re-open Blairmore Pier to steamer traffic.
She now plans to use an area at the rear of Blairmore Village Hall to create a new development. This includes the provision of modern public toilets, two units, one to accommodate cycle hire facilities and the other for community-related activities, such as a ‘timebank’ scheme.
However the controversial element of the project is the proposal for ‘a modern daytime café cum evening wine bar’, which, says Mrs Harvey will represent the core activity of the business and operate on a commercial basis.
And it’s the cafe plan which has put the cat among the pigeons.
Though it supports about 45 local artists and 50 craftspeople, Gallimaufry takes only commission on art/craft sales. The owners claim profit margins are so small that competition by duplication of any part of its operation would make the total business unviable.
Mrs Thompson said: “The gallery and the cafe side of our business are interdependent.
“Without the income from the cafe side the business simply cannot survive. Already we work for a fraction of the minimum wage, and any drop in income would cause too much worry over even covering the overheads”.
Letters in support of the Gallery’s case have been sent to the planning authority, the National Park.
Comments include: “For a number of years we have been drawn to the Cowal and Bute region for one principal reason, which is the existence of Gallimaufry, the friendliness and hospitality of the proprietors, and the inspiration we have gained” .....another said: “No mere café, however good the cappuccino, would inspire us to drive 800 miles in a weekend, as we have done.”
However Mrs Harvey claimed she had strong support locally, and contended that Gallimaufry’s future was in the hands of its owners.
She said: “The sole issue of concern that has been expressed by some individuals, centres on the perceived impact that the café element may have on the viability of Gallimaufry.
“Gallimaufry offers a limited café facility to complement its core business as an arts and crafts gallery. The service offered is limited by choice, and is not one that automatically meets growing public demand.
“Since Blairmore Pier re-opened in 2005, Waverley’s arrival has provided a major attraction for the village and increases the visiting population to around 1,000 over its weekday summer season. Throughout these past two years, Gallimaufry has chosen to close on the afternoon that Waverley calls. With business viability at the heart of Gallimaufry’s current concerns, it is puzzling that such a strategy is deployed.”
However, on checking this, we were told that the gallery is open for a full hour after the Waverley’s arrival, although it closes 30 minutes before its return at 3.30pm.
The reason for the early closing is because Wednesday is the day that solo exhibitions change over, and the owners claim that this has been the case since the doors first opened in 1999. Closing early to hang new exhibits, say the owners, allows the gallery to stay open seven days a week.
Mrs Thompson commented: “Sadly, staying open for an extra half hour on the eight afternoons that the Waverley calls would have a negligible effect on viability. In fact very few passengers disembark; most stay aboard for the cruise up Loch Goil.”
Mrs Harvey, however, argued that the gallery’s viability might in fact be enhanced by her plans: “Gallimaufry have established themselves over many years and have a loyal customer base, and there is absolutely no reason to believe that their current level of cafe income would decline.”
She went on: “I have met with the owners of Gallimaufry to discuss their concerns, and we took the opportunity to share our perspectives on this matter. Whilst I understand their position on this, from a business perspective, it is not one that I can subscribe to.”
She went on: “It is the company’s belief that the planned development can achieve this without detracting from existing services.”
However, the view from Gallimaufry was somewhat different. Said Mrs Thompson: “In a village community that we have worked very hard to revitalise, we are saddened by the antagonism that already seems to have been generated by plans for the unnecessary duplication of an existing business, the demise of which could have a severe detrimental effect on a fragile rural economy. We would wholeheartedly support any business which would diversify the range of facilities and therefore enhance the village.”
The ward councillor, Bruce Marshall, said: “I have great sympathy with Jean and Hilary who run a wonderful facility, and have put Blairmore well and truly on the map in the art and craft world with their regular exhibitions of high quality art; however I do not share their fear that another refreshment facility in the village would in any way be damaging, in fact, I believe the reverse would be the case.
“What has taken place in Blairmore over the past few years has completely reinvigorated the village and with the improved Clyde marine timetable for the summer months I can only see even more trade for the facilities available.”
A planning application has been submitted and anyone who wishes to make representation in relation to the application is invited to write directly to Alan Hughes, Planning Officer, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, The Old Station, Balloch Road, Balloch G83 8BF


“Negative comments” totally unjustified
THE comments attributed to angry council workers contained in last week’s report on the weekend’s problems in Dunoon have caused distress to the men who stepped into the breach to keep the town clean over the holiday.
The three employees of Stewart McNee (Dunoon) Ltd, Storie (Argyll) gave up their holiday time during the Easter weekend, and have since been subject to totally unjustified abuse for their efforts on behalf of the community.
Mr McNee was approached at short notice by the council to see if any of his employees would be willing to work over the holiday weekend. Three employees did volunteer to do so.
Mr McNee was advised that the council workers were unable to provide cover or the street sweeping and toilet duties over the public holiday weekend. The request was made for short - term assistance.
Mr McNee commented: “Any business is entitled to seek work where available, as are employees who wish to increase their earnings by working overtime.
“It should be appreciated that the work carried out over the Easter weekend helped to keep Dunoon clean and tidy at a time when visitors would visit the town.
“For anyone to quote similarities to the miners’ strike is a total nonsense; what happened was in fact local companies and their employees trying to help their local community.
“Surely the attitude shown by Councillor Walsh should have prevailed rather than the negative comments made later in the article.”
We are happy to clarify this situation, and fully support the stance of the company and the efforts of those employees who stepped into the breach at short notice.


KAYAK TRAGEDY
A 23-year-old man has died and a 20-year-old man is seriously ill in hospital following a kayaking accident which occurred off the coast of Scarba, Sound of Luing on Monday.
Two passing commercial vessels and the coastguard rescued the two who were in difficulty in the water and both were transferred by air ambulance to Lorne and District General Hospital in Oban.
Sadly the 23-year-old man, who has been named as Freddie Stewart of Craignish Castle, Ardfern, died a short time later.
The 20-year-old was detained in hospital, where he was being treated for hypothermia. Hospital staff described his condition as serious but stable.
Speaking on Tuesday Inspector Macdonald Stephen of Oban Police Office said: “This appears to have been a tragic accident and our thoughts are with Freddie’s family at this time.
“Enquiries have been ongoing into the circumstances surrounding this incident. It is believed that the men had attempted to cross an area known as the Dorus Mor to the Island of Garbh Reisa when the water became choppy and their kayaks overturned.”
A full report on the circumstances will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.