Issue - meetings

Dr Henderson provided the committee with an update on the Sustrans development from Creagan to the Connel bridge. The community are looking to develop a road route at the old railway line. The last communications with Sustrans indicated that they were aiming to discuss the plans submitted by the community but no further update has been provided. Dr Henderson noted he would like to keep it on the agenda as it is important to the area.

Cllr Robertson noted the update and stated she was keen to see it completed.

Neil MacIntyre informed the Committee that a new Premier Inn was being built and he asked how the car parking for this facility would be dealt with and also how this would be tackled along with the current parking reviews.

Cllr Robertson informed Mr MacIntyre that this would be referred to Roads and Amenity Services as it is a traffic management issue.

Charles Reppke will supply Mr MacIntyre with the planning application details.

Mr Martin raised his concerns regarding the parking proposal reports contained in the agenda as he felt the proposals have failed to address problems so far and feels that the situation will worsen as the current proposals feel incomplete. He also requested clarification on what constitutes Oban in terms of geographical boundaries and raised concerns on how the proposals would affect residents who live on Islands such as Iona as they have no choice other than to keep vehicles on the mainland.

Cllr McCuish discussed with Mr Martin that there may be an opportunity to use the Community pontoon at Gallanach and that residents would be able to buy a parking permit.

Cllr Robertson noted the concerns raised regarding parking proposals and offered reassurance that all proposals implemented will be reassessed after a year to see if they are working.

Neil Brown asked if there would be a hearing called by the Area Committee to listen to the objections regarding the parking proposals. He also asked if Members were aware that in his view the objections, including his own, had not been properly represented in the submitted papers. Mr Reppke informed Mr Brown that in this instance the Area Committee are not required to hold a hearing but if they wished to the Committee could decide to hold a Discretionary Hearing in front of a Reporter and in respect of the other concerns those issues should be taken up separately with relevant department, if so advised.