Published: Thursday, 18th June, 2009 10:24am

'Danger' marsh is drained

by Fiona Howard

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THE debate over the future of Fort Road in Kilcreggan continued at the community council meeting last week.

A number of residents attended the meeting and one, Ben Bellamy, told the community council he had contacted environment minister Roseanna Cunningham about work carried out on the site by the new owner.

However, she had referred him back to Argyll and Bute Council"s planning department.

The planning officer had in turn told him that a retrospective planing application for the works already carried out was expected in due course.

Mr Bellamy referred to a planning application which was refused in 1990 because the site was an ancient raised beach with a cliff at the back. But he said that when the local plan was drawn up, that was not apparently considered.

Community Councillor Graham Barr pointed out that the clearance of rubbish and drainage of dangerous marshy ground was an asset to the village.

He said: 'That was one of the most dangerous areas of the village for children playing because of the marshy ground.'

It was pointed out that because the land had not been designated a site of special scientific interest, then the landowner was probably within his rights to carry out drainage work.

Councillor George Freeman reported that no planning application had been received yet but that it took time for such things to go through.

He pointed out that nature conservation areas were something of a grey area for planning but that it had to be remembered that land owners had rights too.

Community Council chairman Nick Davis said there was nothing the community council could do until the planning applications were received.

He added that there were two sides to the debate and the community council represented the developer as well as the objectors.

Councillor Danny Kelly said that at the moment talks would be going on between the developers, the architects and the planning department and that it would probably be some time before any application is put forward.

The meeting was also told that new planning regulations would mean that the developer would have to carry out extensive local consultations.

Mr Davis said that at least there had been benefit from clearing rubbish.