The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Repair firm forced out Business: Owner served with planning enforcement notice
The owner of a heavy haulage repair firm outside Oban is closing his business – with the loss of eight jobs – after being evicted from his premises by the local council.
Peter MacGregor, of PMG Services, says he is being punished for his success after Argyll and Bute Council served him with a planning enforcement notice.
The saga began after he set up at D&J Campbell haulier’s yard, in Connel, in 2010, providing maintenance for the firm’s lorries.
He said they were visited by the planning department at that time, but eventually told there was no planning issue.
As his business grew they
“There is no one else in the area providing this service”
started providing maintenance and repair for other companies, and last year an investigation was launched.
Mr MacGregor said: “In January the council said they would help us get a site at Connel airfield. For months they told us this would be the case. Then a couple of weeks ago they said they couldn’t give us a site there. It has cost myself and the landowner £20,000 defending this over the last year and a half. I have no money to pay for new premises.
“Come September I have no option but to close. I am absolutely devastated. I have a first and second-year apprentice plus three qualified engineers.
“We provide a service. We look after all the local marine sector, forestry sector, agricultural. There is no one else in the area providing this service.”
A spokesman for Argyll and Bute Council said: “The business was served with a planning enforcement notice to vacate the premises by September following the investigation of a complaint. This decision was upheld by the Scottish Government reporters. The business was established without the required planning permission.
“We have been assisting the owners by identifying alternative available accommodation and are happy to continue to offer this support.
“The business expressed an interest in relocating to a site adjacent to Oban Airport. The site remains available. However, it is not zoned for the purpose required and there are other constraints associated with proximity to the airport.”
MP for Argyll and Bute Brendan O’Hara said: “My entire campaign was based around engaging our own bright, ambitious entrepreneurs to stay in Argyll and Bute while attracting others to come. This sends out all the wrong messages.
“It is someone who has built up a business from scratch, who employs eight people, closing his doors because of red tape. It is a successful business – all it needs is a bit of help.
“I will not let this go and will continue to beat a path to the council’s door about it.”
Councillor Roddy McCuish added: “I can’t understand, for the life of me, how this problem can continue when we have empty sites in council ownership less than two miles from Mr MacGregor’s business.”