Floating jetty to boost Cairndow’s appeal

A floating jetty for Cairndow has been given the go-ahead by council chiefs – along with a layby for emergency vehicles.

Argyll and Bute Council planning officers have awarded planning permission to the Cairndow Hall and Recreation Committee for the project on shore ground north of 1 Hydro Cottage.

No representations, positive or negative, were received from the public to the plans, which comprise a 50-metre jetty with a hammerhead.

The layby would also form two parking spaces if needed.

A planning officer said in a holding report: ‘The proposals to construct a floating pontoon jetty as a local community recreational and small-scale tourist facility are considered to be acceptable in terms of scale, design and materials.

‘The proposed floating jetty would be on the line of a historic jetty known as MacKeller’s Quay.

‘The proposed jetty is part of the Cairndow community proposals to improve recreation and access in the local area.

‘The proposed jetty would be associated to the newly constructed footpath linking the village of Cairndow to Clachan, and the Loch Fyne Oysters commercial complex at the head of Loch Fyne.

‘The proposed jetty will be in a similar location to a historic jetty structure and will be partially screened from the adjacent public road.

‘The jetty and associated infrastructure will not impede access along the foreshore nor adversely affect local species or habitats. The floating jetty structure is similar to others around Loch Fyne. It is considered that the scale, siting, design and materials of the proposals to construct a floating pontoon jetty as a local community recreational and small-scale tourist facility are acceptable and consistent with policies contained in the Argyll and Bute Local Development Plan and there are no reasonable grounds to recommend refusal.’