Project Update - March 2025
Foyle and Marine Dredging have prepared their landing craft and currently expect to arrive on site week commencing 10th March.
Calmac and the Harbour Master have been informed of the intended arrival on Monday the 10th or Tuesday the 11th.
They will off-load at the slipway between the ferries 12.30 to 14.25 lunch window and again after the last ferry sailing. The works after the last ferry may run until 10 pm for this initial mobilisation activity.
The Council and our specialist Consultant are in discussions with Marine Directorate to finalise the Seagrass Enhancement and Monitoring Plan.
The European Protected Species and Basking Shark Licences have now been awarded by Marine Directorate.
- Basking Shark Licence - Construction of Breakwater and Dredging - Iona Ferry Terminal - 00010977 | marine.gov.scot
- European Protected Species Licence - Construction of Breakwater and Dredging - Iona Ferry Terminal - 00010978 | marine.gov.scot
Project Update - February 2025
Comments were received from Marine Directorate with regards to the documents submitted in January. The Council and Foyle and Marine Dredging are revising documents accordingly.
Project Update - January 2025
All documents required for the Planning Application Decision and Marine Directorate Licence conditions were submitted on the 20th January.
Project Update - December 2024
60,000 tons of granite rock have been secured by the Contractor from Glensanda Quarry, this is 48% of the total rock required for the breakwater.
A quote for the replacement of the existing toilet block has been submitted by the Contractor. The Council are carrying out a feasibility check on the quote to determine if this provides good value.
Project Update - November 2024 - Contract Award
The Construction Contract was awarded to Foyle and Marine Dredging on 01/11/24, for a sum of £14,785,026.21.
The Start-Up meeting was held between Argyll and Bute Council and Foyle and Marine Dredging on 13/11/24.
Foyle and Marine Dredging will provide temporary toilet units for the duration of the work on the toilet block.
The initial programme anticipates works will begin on site in March 2025.
Project Update - October 2024
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) decision notice has been published in a local paper (Oban Times) and The (Edinburgh) Gazette for 2 weeks, to meet the requirements set out in Regulation 25 of The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.
Project Update - September 2024
The Construction Licence and Dredge Licence have now been awarded from Marine Directorate. The decision notice outlining the reasons and considerations on which the decision is based can be viewed below:
- 00010432 - Cover Letter
- 00010432 - Annex One
- 00010432 - Marine Licence
- 00010433 - Cover Letter
- 00010433 - Annex One
- 00010433 - Annex Two
- 00010433 - Marine Licence
- 00010432/00010433 EIA Decision Notice
Planning permission was approved on Thursday 2nd May 2024. Further details on this can be found at:
The contract is now in the process of being awarded to the Preferred Bidder
Project update - April 2024
The Iona Breakwater tender responses have been received and assessed.
Works are currently on standby while the Land Acquisition, Planning Application, and Marine Scotland Licences are finalised.
Project Update – December 2023
Iona Breakwater Tender
The Iona Breakwater Tender has been uploaded to Public Contracts Scotland on 01/12/2023.
The tender documents comprises of:
- Breakwater Construction
- Demolition of the Existing Toilet Building and Construction of a new Toilet Block
- Completion of Lower Slipway Works
- Dredging Works
Project Update – November 2023
Marine Scotland Licences under public and stakeholders consultation
MARINE (SCOTLAND) ACT 2010
THE MARINE WORKS (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2017
Notice is hereby given that Argyll and Bute Council, 1A Manse Brae, Lochgilphead PA31 8RD have applied to the Scottish Ministers for marine licences under section 20 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 to carry out construction, dredging and deposit of dredge material associated with the breakwater project at Iona Harbour.
The proposed works are subject to an environmental impact assessment (“EIA”) under the above EIA Regulations. Copies of the applications, including plans detailing the location, together with a copy of the EIA report discussing Argyll and Bute Council’s proposed development in more detail and presenting an analysis of the environmental implications, are available for inspection, free of charge at: The Argyll Hotel, Isle of Iona, Argyll, PA76 6SJ (Monday to Friday, 0900 – 1700), Calmac ferry terminal building waiting room, Fionnphort, Isle of Mull, PA66 6BL (Monday to Saturday, 0900 – 1600), Planning and Building Standards, Argyll and Bute Council, 1A Manse Brae, Lochgilphead, Argyll, PA31 8RD (Monday to Friday, 0900 – 1700).
Any representations should be made in writing to the consenting authority by email to: md.marinelicensing@gov.scot or by post to The Scottish Government, Marine Directorate Licensing Operations Team, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB, identifying the proposed works and specifying grounds for the representation, not later than 15th December 2023. The Scottish Ministers may consider representations received after this date. Representations should be dated and clearly state the name (in block capitals) and the email or postal address of those making the representation.
A full copy of the Public Notice can be viewed here: Iona EIA Public Notice
Project update - October 2023
Project Objectives
Protection to the exposed landing slip at Iona such that the Cal-Mac Ferry can safely and consistently expect to be able to berth without fear of service disruption, significant passenger discomfort, or threat to safety of passenger and vehicular traffic in anything other than weather conditions.
Proposed Works
At Iona, Argyll and Bute Council proposes to dredge and dispose of sediment from the harbour area, construct a breakwater and demolish/ replace the public toilet unit.
Current Progress
Recently we have added the replacement of the existing toilet unit to form part of the full Planning Application which was uploaded on the 11/09/2023.
At current, Infrastructure Design are working on the Tender documents for construction, detail design of the toilet unit, and progressing with Marine Scotland consents.
Associated documents
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report (this document has been split into 8 parts due to the size of the document)
- EIA Report Volume 1
- EIA Report Volume 2 Part 1
- EIA Report Volume 2 Part 2
- EIA Report Volume 3 Part 1
- EIA Report Volume 3 Part 2
- EIA Report Volume 3 Part 3
- EIA Report Volume 3 Part 4
- EIA Report Volume 3 Part 5
- EIA Report Volume 3 Part 6
Documents on this page may not be fully accessible for people using assistive technology. If you require these documents in an alternative format, please contact Elsa Simoes - elsa.simoes@argyll-bute.gov.uk
