We will be discussing the repowering of Cruach Mhor Windfarm, the CMAL harbour order, and the 2026 edition of the Rally among many other items, all encompassed by our standing agenda. Our draft minutes for last time are posted on our minutes page here.
All welcome.
The community council will be meeting next Monday in the small meeting room at the back of the Glendaruel Hall (across the stage). Items on our agenda will include Resilience, Roads, the Rally and the Repowering of Cruach Mhor Windfarm. All are welcome!
We will be following our standing agenda and the draft minutes are available here
Without fanfare at some point today vehicles were allowed to finally use the new single track bridge at Balliemore. Use is ongoing and the single B836 is now fully open!
The bridge was undermined by the Balliemore Burn during an intense rainfall event in early October 2023. While the communities of Southwest Cowal will rejoice that the bridge has been replaced and is now open, questions are being asked about the procurement of both the eventual and the interim solution. Why did this replacement taken so long? How is it that this was not made an absolute priority and why has there not been clarity on completion dates – indeed how did the council end up promising an April 25 completion and find that it took a further 6 months for the project to be complete. And lastly, why-o-why is it only single track?
The Community Council is sure there are good answers to these questions, but they do require answering! If only to prevent a repetition of the same lack of urgency and impact on the economic and social wellbeing of our very rural communities.
The community council will be meeting next Monday in the Colintraive Village Hall. Items on our agenda will include Resilience, Roads, the Rally and the Repowering of Cruach Mhor Windfarm. All are welcome!
We will be following our standing agenda and the draft minutes are available here
from Neighbourhood Watch Scotland
As you may already be aware landlines are changing, and the UK’s telephone network is going digital. By January 2027, the old analogue network will be completely switched off and replaced by new digital landlines which will work using broadband. This change affects all industry providers and their customers. It is important that we help support members of our communities, especially the more vulnerable, to ensure that they are not adversely impacted by the switch off deadline as best we can.
There are two key campaigns that we wish to draw your attention to:
Anyone who needs extra support to make the switch to Digital Voice, should register for this using the BT webform available on the website. An engineer will then be made available to assist them with transition.
On Monday 9th June 2025 at the Glendaruel Village Hall, an update was given on the future lessee of the Cruach Mhor windfarm which is now known to be Belltown Power. This is a Bristol-based organisation which has an existing relationship with Forestry and Land Scotland. It operates four other sites in Scotland and several southern sites, with a mixed portfolio of wind, photovoltaic and hydro power. Their bid was the most financially competitive out of the 18 total bidders for the lease of the windfarm which renews in 2029.
For more, please read the document below:
The ‘Communities’ on-line information session is taking place on Wednesday 4^th June at 7pm and will run for 60 minutes. This is a Teams session – you can register online to attend the session – EPAS Communities Information Session -Scottish Environment Protection Agency – Citizen Space<https://consultation.sepa.org.uk/compliance-and-beyond/9d022dcd/>.
Useful resources for this Communities Information Session are:
Video explainer<https://youtu.be/tqFBBChG2gQ>– SEPA’s YouTube video explaining EPAS
EPAS Consultation FINAL 31.03.25.pdf <https://consultation.sepa.org.uk/compliance-and-beyond/epas/supporting_documents/EPAS%20Consultation%20FINAL%2031.03.25.pdf> – which you can read in advance and share with others
SEPA’s consultation hub <https://consultation.sepa.org.uk/compliance-and-beyond/epas/> – where you can participate in the consultation – *by 30^th June*
SEPA’s approach to regulation <https://www.sepa.org.uk/regulations/how-we-regulate/our-approach-to-regulation/> – to acquaint yourself with SEPA’s approach
Scottish regulators’ strategic code of practice <https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-regulators-strategic-code-of-practice/> – with which we comply
Along with many of our usual reports and topical issues, including the Local Place Plan, we plan to discuss how we deal with the imminent Digital Switchover as a community. We have heard how the present plans by the UK & Scottish Governments do not seem to have any idea of what this will mean for a rural community like ours. If you have worries, views or would like more information, please come along to the meeting at the Colintraive Village Hall at 7.30pm on Monday evening.
We will be following our Standing Agenda.
Scottish Fire and Rescue and the Community Safety Team are highlighting the recent spike in wildfires by displaying posters and fire safety information throughout Argyll and Bute – here is their leaflet, do take the time to read!
On Friday morning, March 14th at 10am residents in Colglen are invited to take part in the Place Plan Proposal Creation discussion at the Colintraive Village Hall. This is the critical stage for the whole Local Place Plan process, so do come along to make your voice heard!