MSP on walkabout
Town centre regeneration and housing were high on Ariane Burgess MSP’s agenda when she visited Oban on walkabout last Friday.
The Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands & Islands was in town to look at ways businesses, community groups and Argyll and Bute Council can work together to breathe new life into Oban centre.
Stopping off at the vacant land site next to the Oban Inn, Ms Burgess met up with Argyll and Bute Council’s Head of Development and Economic Growth Fergus Murray. The MSP was also accompanied by Neil McInroy who is chairman of Economic Development Association Scotland.
The site, that has stood empty for years despite having planning permission for new apartments, will be put into ’meanwhile’ use - potentially as a beer garden - when the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race moors up this summer, said Mr Murray.
Ms Burgess said she was keen for communities to look at ’meanwhile’ uses for empty pockets of land rather than them grow neglected and derelict.
She also said more affordable homes were key to creating thriving town centre communities, but they had to be fit for purpose, as in properly insulated to make sure people did not have to live in fuel poverty.
"By increasing the number of people living in the heart of our towns, we can boost footfall for local businesses, enhance the vibrancy of our public spaces and create more sustainable, thriving communities," she added.
Other key sites visited by Ms Burgess included The Rockfield Centre and the now closed Oban Phoenix Cinema, prompting discussions on the challenges facing community-owned venues and whether increasing town centre living could help secure their future.
Discussions also included proposals to convert vacant office buildings on Albany Street into much-needed housing.
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