Historic waterfront deserves to be saved

Tobermory's historic waterfront deserves to be restored and saved for the community, planning officers have been told.

 

Plans have been unveiled to repair the seaside town's historic pier, and install other features including a slipway, walkway and landing pontoon.

 

Tobermory Harbour Authority (THA) has submitted the proposal for Aros Waterfront to Argyll and Bute Council’s planning officers for decision.

 

In a statement to planners, THA said although the Aros Waterfront is not ‘listed’, it is historic and 'loved by many and deserves to be restored and saved for the community'.

 

A decision is expected from the officers by mid-December and plans are now available to be viewed and commented on by the public.

 

According to the THA's design statement, Aros Park is one of Tobermory’s best assets. The original Aros House, (Drumfin House), now demolished, was supplied by boats using the Aros Waterfront Pier, Quay and Slipway. The pier and quay were built circa 1842.

 

After Aros House was demolished these historic assets were neglected. Stones from the quay and pier fell into the sea. The pier was last renovated by the Tobermory Fish Farm in the 1990s but 'Unfortunately, the front of the pier has again fallen into the sea, along with stones from the quay' says the statement.

 

Tobermory Harbour Association (THA), on behalf of the Community, have recently purchased the Aros Waterfont assets from Forestry Land Scotland (FLS).

 

The plan is for the site will be fenced off and the public excluded from the site during construction. Safe site management and safety signage will be expected at all times.

 

The access road has a small bridge over the stream from Aros Loch on the THA Waterfront Land with limited loading so a temporary access may need to be created for the duration of the contract.

 

The contractor would construct a ramp to provide excavator access from the quay to the end of the pier. Loose rock material at the stream outfall and broken rock from THA land and demolished hatchery building, could be used for this.

 

The contractor [would] also remove all the surplus pier material that has fallen into the sea including the fallen steps and they would take it  back to a point where the pier would be stable and  foundations  exposed at very low tide.

 

'All good stones, good coping stones and good granite blocks would be to be recycled to construct a new pier face and the face of the pedestrian walkway,' concluded the design statement.

 

To view the plans and submit comments, visit the council’s planning portal at argyll-bute.gov.uk and use the reference number 22/01358/PP.