Fears for Oban’s ‘last green space’
Oban could lose its most important recreational area if proposals under the latest Local Development Plan go ahead, warns Friends of Ganavan.
The group fears the area, that once had beach huts, an 18-hole golf course and pavilion, is at serious risk unless people object before Argyll and Bute Council’s consultation deadline runs out on January 23.
The beach and the shinty pitch is much-used by townspeople and visitors, and is the last substantial ‘green space’ near Oban for people to enjoy, says Friends of Ganavan.
Under a plan that sets out how Oban could develop over the next 10 years, the area is marked out on maps for change.
A spokesperson for the group that was set up to protect the area and its benefits said: ‘Any development in this area would be retrograde, not only for locals but the economy.
‘A massive economic benefit will be lost if this area is developed for housing.’
The spokesperson added: ‘Not many people in Oban and the surrounding area will be aware of this potential development area – but if it is adopted, everyone will be affected and it will be a severe and irretrievable loss to our area.
‘Everyone who cares about Ganavan and feels strongly they want to keep Ganavan for the people of Oban should lodge comments by the January 23 deadline.’
The local development plan does says health and wellbeing should be supported through promoting outdoor access and it states the shinty pitch would be relocated elsewhere, although the Friends do not know where.
Concern has also been expressed about the possibility of the coast-hugging Oban to Ganavan road being linked to the new Dunbeg Housing Corridor, with the spokesperson for the Friends adding: ‘The Ganavan road, built in 1904, is not suitable as a link up road and is at maximum capacity at present.
‘As outlined in The Oban Times of January 9, concern is deepened by the possibility of this becoming a rat run for the proposed housing therefore diminishing amenity value even further.’
People in Benderloch are also being urged to check the plan for substantial change proposed for their village and the Letterwalton area regarding a quarry and mineral extraction already ongoing.
To see the full proposals, go to argyll-bute.gov.uk/ldp2