Lochavullin has a new flood pump but the big car park at Ganavan is still without the CCTV promised by Argyll and Bute Council almost one year ago, Oban Community Council has heard.
Monday’s two-hour meeting was also told repairs were needed at Ganavan’s toilets after forecast freezing weather damaged pipes, forcing the facility to be closed.
Faulty traffic lights outside Rockfield’s primary campus since the start of term have been replaced by a temporary set, community councillors want to know when there will be a permanent fix.
News of the new flood pump at Lochavullin started discussion on what else could be done to reduce flooding risks in the town. One suggestion was to flood-proof sites that currently cannot be built on so that potential new homesites could be developed on them.
Talk also turned to Argyll and Bute Council’s backlog of short-let applications. The meeting heard the time-consuming process had to be the council’s main focus for now rather than enforcement.
A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council told The Oban Times after the meeting: "We have received nearly 3,000 short-term let applications. We are working hard to employ additional temporary resources to assist with this. Existing hosts, operating before October 1, 2022, can continue operating until their application is determined but new hosts require to be licenced before they can commence letting.
“We developed Argyll and Bute’s licensing scheme with feedback from local businesses and communities. The aim of the scheme overall is to ensure a safe experience for visitors that will encourage them to return to the area, and to support the interests of local communities.”
Planning permission in principle has been approved for 10 new houses on the site of the former Kilbowie Outdoor Centre in Oban, while Oban Holiday Park, off Gallanach Road, has withdrawn its bid to extend and make changes to its layout, community council members were up-dated.
Meanwhile, plans are in for Glencruitten House to make a small car park near the entrance to the road, another application is in with planners to build a house on the other side of it, the CC meeting heard.
Returning to Ganavan, people’s requests for a drinking water fountain should be followed up, potentially with Scottish Water who previously put one in Station Square.
And Oban North and Lorn ward councillor Kieron Green singled out and gave thanks to Oban CC for being the only community council in this area allowing people to attend its meetings remotely.
Work on a Local Place Plan and setting up a development trust for the town is progressing, with funding coming in. The community council will be represented on the project’s steering group.
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