Residents have say on housing plans

Residents of Oban and Dunbeg had the chance to discuss plans for a development of 600 new houses which will link the two communities.

Social landlord Link has submitted its “Dunbeg Development Corridor Masterplan” to Argyll and Bute Council and held a public event in Dunbeg yesterday.

People attending were largely supportive of the proposals, but raised concerns that the road infrastructure must be inplace to cope with the increased traffic.

The area, between Ganavan in Oban and the village of Dunbeg, is to be accessed by a new roundabout from the A85 Oban to Perth road at the Halfway House Filling Station and from Kirk Road at Dunbeg.

There is also potential for a road between Ganavan and the site.

Phil Monteith, Ganavan resident, said: “What I am concerned about is the volume of traff i c going through Ganavan. There are 175 houses going in at site 13, I’m not sure the Ganavan road in its present form can actually take any more traffic.

“I just want to be reassured that if any kind of development does go ahead, there is an upgrade on the Ganavan road or there is an alternative to the trunk road.

“I am not against it, but there are issues regarding traffic flow. The Ganavan road into Oban has got serious problems, particularly with pedestrians. There are no pavements.”

The Dunbeg side of the site, where 75 houses have already been built by Link, is likely to be developed first. The project is then expected to roll on over the next 10 to 15 years.

Tom Connolly, architect for Link, said: “The early phases are likely to take place at Dunbeg. There is concern about the existing road. With the level of population that has to be upgraded and that will take time. There is a proposed roundabout at the Halfway House filling station, that has got to be funded.

“The council will come up with long-term plans about the school and the roads. These are issues that have to be addressed.”

“I am not against it but there are issues regarding traffic flow”