Port Ellen ‘hub’ dividing community

I would like to set the record straight regarding South Islay Development (SID)’s Port Ellen playing fields ‘community hub’ development which was covered in last week’s Campbeltown Courier.

I am one of the objectors who went round every door in Port Ellen. We gathered hundreds of signatures against this, which got the first lot of plans scrapped.

So SID changed the plan to suit the roads department and resubmitted the planning application.

Most of the objectors didn’t know they had to object again.

SID didn’t knock on every door and ask how folk felt about it. They put leaflets through people’s doors and a lot of people didn’t return them. They also had open days, normally through the week, when people are working and can’t attend.

And that is the reason I, for one, couldn’t attend the virtual planning, protective services and licensing committee meeting. People have full-time jobs and can’t attend these things at 10am on a Thursday.

The community of Port Ellen is divided over this development. This was always intended to be a community space and now it’s being developed for tourism.

We know and understand something has to happen in the area but it should have been to benefit the community, not more space going to tourism. The campervans are an eyesore but don’t think we’re saying we don’t want them on Islay, but there are places better suited for them outside the village.

Equally, the people in these campervans will probably pick somewhere they have a good view, quiet and relaxing, rather than by the main road, where all ferry traffic passes.

Islay will soon be unrecognisable, all for tourists and nothing for the locals. It will soon be another Skye.

It’s unaffordable for people to come here for a week’s holiday.

Name and address supplied.