Councillor under fire over dumping

A COUNCILLOR representing Oban, Lorn and the Isles is coming under fire from residents for dumping waste around his home in North Connel, writes Louise Glen.

Iain S MacLean, an independent councillor, was issued with an informal enforcement agreement to clear up the area around his property almost a year ago, but at the time of going to press had failed to do so. The Oban Times contacted Mr MacLean for a comment but he did not want to say anything about the situation. It is understood a formal notice will now be issued against Mr MacLean unless the area is cleaned up.

North Connel residents are furious that while everyone copes with three-weekly bin collections and managing their own rubbish, the councillor is allowed to dump waste around his house.

It is understood Mr MacLean has had numerous opportunities to clear the items, which include rusting cars and building debris. One resident told The Oban

Times he had been in touch with the planning department, which is dealing with the complaint, and was told that an agreement had been reached with Mr MacLean more than a year ago. But nothing had been done.

Asking not to be named, the man said: ‘ I have reported this situation to Elaine Robertson and Kieron Green, who are councillors in my ward, and I have also taken it to Roddy McCuish, who is the area chairman.

‘ They have all agreed with me that this is a terrible state for anyone to be living in.

‘ It is an absolute eyesore. Abandoned cars around the property, Herras fencing and building rubbish.

‘ The council has agreed with me and the other residents who have complained. But to date nothing has changed. There simply cannot be one rule for the one person because they are an elected councillor and another for everyone else.

‘ This situation has now dragged on for far too long.

‘ It is ironic that the person making the rules about rubbish is clearly flouting the legislation himself.’

A spokesman for Argyll and Bute Council declined to comment, saying: ‘ The council does not comment on individual cases.’