"Drop In" meetings arranged for the public to discuss Local Development Plan

Nine public meetings have been organised across Argyll and Bute so people can discuss the Local Development Plan: Main Issues Report with one of the council’s planning officers. The consultation phase on the first formal stage of the plan, the main issues report, started on Thursday 12th May 2011 and will end at 5pm on Monday 18th July.

The Main Issues Report is designed to get people’s views on possible policy direction and how land in Argyll and Bute is used for planning purposes. It looks at issues like the impact of climate change, growing our economy, providing the right levels of housing and safeguarding the environment. Its aim is to stimulate debate on identified areas of major change.

The report is not fixed and is up for discussion. We’d like as many people as possible to let us know what they think about the suggestions and ideas outlined.

The first meeting is on Monday 30th May at The Pavilion in Rothesay. On Tuesday 31st May there’ll be a meeting at the Queens Hall in Dunoon. Planning officers will be at the Corran Halls in Oban on Thursday 2nd June and at the Victoria Halls in Helensburgh on Monday 6th June. On Tuesday 7th June there’ll be a meeting at the Aros Hall in Tobermory on Mull. On Wednesday 8th June you are invited to the Town Hall in Campbeltown then on Thursday 9th June the Community Centre in Lochgilphead. Planning staff will be at Bowmore Hall on Islay on Friday 13th June and the final meeting will be at the community hall on Tiree on the 16th June.

All meetings take place between 1pm and 8pm and everyone is very welcome, although it would be more beneficial for you to have a look at the Main Issues Report before you come.

You can see the Main Issues Report online at http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/ldp, at all public libraries, council headquarters at Kilmory, council offices at Manse Brae in Lochgilphead, Chalmers St in Ardrishaig, Municipal Buildings in Oban, Milton House in Dunoon, Blairvadach in Helensburgh, Bowmore on Islay and Tobermory in Mull. It’s also on display at service centres in Crossapol on Tiree, Craighouse on Jura and Scalasaig, Colonsay. You can see it at the Post Office in Arinagour on Coll, Achnacroish on Lismore and Ardminish on Gigha.