A full business case for Argyll and Bute Council's Oban Bay waterfront regeneration has been approved by the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee.

The full business cases (FBCs) are for both the public realm enhancements and the new North Pier Maritime Visitor Facility.

The FBCs will now go before the full council next week.

If approved, the investment would help to make Oban a more attractive place for residents, investors and visitors.

With regards to the investment, the public realm improvements would include all of Stafford Street as well as George Street, Queen's Park Place and Station Square. At Stafford Street, a terraced space will be created, as will a flexible space – with power and wifi – for small scale events.


Station Square would see a flexible space for events provided, with a widened seaside footway, improved shelter for bus passengers, flexible seating, ornamental planting, LED lighting, provision for taxis and a new plinth for the clock tower installed. Bespoke seating areas, planting and improvements to footways would also be carried out at George Street and Queen's Park Place.

At the north pier, the new facility would enclose a circular gathering space and be covered by a timber and glass canopy. The new building will include a pier office, additional public toilets and showers, secure locker facilities, storage and laundry, a waiting area for coach parties and cruise ship passengers, plus a covered event space.

Work is expected to begin on the north pier in January 2015 with the demolition of the White Building. Construction of the new facility will take around nine months, the local authority has said.

As for the public realm work, it will be divided into two phases. Phase One will take place from October 2014 to April 2015 and focus on Stafford Street, with Phase Two being developed between May 2015 and May 2016.

(JP/MH)