ISLAY Plans for island community hub at Port Ellen withdrawn

Plans for a new community hub on Islay have been withdrawn after running into objections from neighbours.

But they are likely to return in a revised form. Argyll and Bute Council announced the proposals for Port Ellen playing fields, lodged by South Islay Development (SID), have been taken off the table.

Meanwhile planning agent Colin Hastie confirmed the boundary line for a planned motorhome area at the proposed site would be re-drawn and a fresh application submitted.

The plans were for a new community hub to replace the existing pavilion, along with the relocation of a play area, the formation of parking and motorhome pitches, electric vehicle charging point and a toilet and shower block.

Twenty-six objections were lodged with the council along with three expressions of support.

The objectors raised concerns about a possible lack of green space to allow parking room for campervans and other vehicles, as well as a perceived threat to existing community facilities.

A petition was also lodged with the council during the public consultation period.

A design statement for the proposed development detailed a community consultation carried out into the project.

It said: ‘Following feedback from the community, the final solution was reached to construct a new community hub with office/flexible-use in the location of the existing pavilion, relocating the play area to the current putting green, with motorhome pitches on the site of the existing play area and a toilet and shower block to serve campers.

‘The relocated play area was considered best in the middle of the site, towards the main road, with fencing to prevent accidental running on to roads.

‘In order to provide access to the new motorhome pitches and provide a connection with the existing pitches to the rear of the service station, openings are proposed in the existing stone boundary wall to access the new road and the toilet/shower block.’

However, a cover note with the petition, submitted by Kevin Campbell, said: ‘No-one wants to lose the vital green space to campervans and parking.

‘All this project will do is take away healthy outdoor activities and force kids inside. Also, we have a local cyber café that already does most of the stuff SID is saying will go into this new hub.

‘The village is not big enough for two charities fighting for the same funding, and it’s taken the cyber café years to get to where it is.’

Mr Hastie told the council: ‘Further to our conversation this week, we write to formally withdraw the application.

‘We will amend the red line boundary at the motorhome area and resubmit as agreed with the roads department.’