Argyll and Bute Council is one step closer to releasing almost £9 million to invest in Dunoon's waterfront and cementing its commitment to the town’s positive future.

The council’s Dunoon CHORD project board has agreed a £8.6 million business case to make significant changes to Dunoon’s waterfront, which the council hopes will help kick-start regeneration in the town.

Plans were approved to improve the road layout in front of the Queen’s Hall to make it simpler and more pedestrian-friendly. The changes will also create more space outside the Queen’s Hall which can be used for exhibitions, events and displays. A contribution will also be made to improve passenger facilities at the ferry terminal, adjacent to the Queen’s Hall.

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The project will also see a major transformation of the Queen’s Hall. A number of services and facilities will be brought together in the hall, making it an attractive destination for visitors and residents. The building will be extended, a learning centre introduced and the main hall and stage improved. There will also be a large soft play area for family visitors to use in all weathers. These improvements will markedly improve the use of the hall all year round.

At the same time the new road layout and increased public space will create a welcoming arrival point for visitors to the town, helping to make Dunoon even more appealing to tourists and businesses.

Once completed it is hoped the Queen’s Hall facilities will help encourage people to spend more time and more money in Dunoon, boosting the local economy and supporting other investments such as the tourism development at Castle Toward.

All of these proposals were discussed and well received at a public meeting on 25 January and agreed by the project board on 3 February. The CHORD programme board will now endorse the plans before they are considered by the Executive for final approval in March.

(GK)