New Development Plans for Derelict Site in National Park
The Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, a well-established conservation charity, is supporting a proposed development on a derelict site in the National Park. The site, located opposite the village of Arrochar, has a rich history but has fallen into disrepair over the years.
The proposed development would overlook the head of Loch Long, a sea loch surrounded by commercial coniferous plantations. The site also sits at the base of Beinn Narnain and Ben Arthur, two popular mountains that provide a stunning backdrop for the area.
The site has a history as a torpedo testing range dating back over a hundred years, but has since been abandoned and has become an eyesore. John Urquhart, Chair of the Friends, acknowledges the difficulty in finding the resources to address the site’s many problems. He believes a commercial solution is the most practical way forward and suggests involving national and/or local government agencies to assist in funding the cleanup and development process.
The proposed development plans are relatively low-key and appropriate for the site. The Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs particularly appreciate the plans to utilize the existing berthing facilities and incorporate the site’s war-time heritage. They also advocate for high-quality design and materials that reflect the significance of the location.
In addition, the Friends believe that businesses benefiting from the natural capital of an environment should contribute towards maintaining and enhancing that value. They propose the creation of a “Community Natural Capital Benefit Fund” that would help preserve, promote, and understand the natural capital of the area. This fund would also address issues such as invasive species, marine litter, and inadequate visitor management facilities.
The Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs have no objections to the proposed development, as long as these conditions are met. In fact, they believe that the development could bring economic support to the fragile rural communities of Arrochar and Tarbet and help fulfill the area’s potential as an adventure tourism hub.
The Friends urge the authorities and developers to work together to bring this project to fruition and finally address the long-standing issue of the derelict site. They believe that, if handled wisely, the development could add value to the area’s natural capital and benefit both nature and the local communities.
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