Oban harbour campaigners are demanding answers after a “bungling start” to Argyll and Bute Council’s formal public consultation.
The first day of consultation on how the harbour will be future managed was officially November 30 but that was “marred” by the incorrect version of a key document on the council’s website, says Oban Community Harbour Association (OCHDA).
Once the mistake was pointed out, the council put it right by the following day but it meant anyone who visited the website in the first 24 hours would have read the wrong Statement of Support, a document the government advises is intended to help the public “understand the proposals and give informed responses”.
Anyone wanting to look at the documents and plans on paper only have the option of travelling to Lochgilphead to do that. But this is also made difficult by the A816 route being shut until at least December 16.
Taking into account council weekends and Christmas/New Year holidays off, as well as the road closures, there may be as few as five days available in 2023 and as few as three working days in 2024 out of the 42-day period to see the documents in Lochgilphead, OCHDA has worked out.
Requests have been made, to the council and to Transport Scotland, that paper copies of these documents should be made available on all of the directly affected islands and in Oban.
OCHDA chairperson Ross Wilson said: “It’s a shame the council didn’t make access to copies of the actual documents easier – even with the road closure. It’s the same department. They could have arranged for copies to be available in public buildings in the relevant areas.”
At November’s Oban Community Council meeting, Oban Bay users were warned to have their say on the council’s harbour plans or risk a “long-lasting detrimental effect”.
Town community councillor Dougie Graham also said that would be the consequence if running the bay was totally “left in the hands of people who don’t care about Oban”.
Community council convenor Frank Roberts had already told members he felt “duped” after a council letter responding to his concerns over the Christmas and New Year bad timing of the formal public consultation, said the authority would be sensitive to the festive period.
Despite pleas by the community council and OCHDA, the consultation started on November 30 and will end on January 10.
If Transport Scotland is satisfied with the outcome of the consultation, the Harbour Order will be presented to the Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP for approval before passing into law.
Oban Community Council and OCHDA are hosting a public meeting, open to anyone interested in Oban Bay, at The Rockfield Centre on December 14 starting at 6.30pm.
See Oban Municipal Harbour plans at https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/marine-services/oban-municipal-harbour
Objections or representations should be sent to Scottish Ministers before January 10, quoting “Oban Harbour Revision Order 2023”, stating the grounds of their objection or representation and giving an address for a response. The address is Transport Scotland, Ports and Harbours Branch, Area 2F North, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ. You can also email harbourorders@transport.gov.scot.
Caption: View over Oban Bay. Have your say on plans to run it as a municipal harbour.