COUNCILLORS will hold a public hearing on a proposal to amend operating hours at a quarry near Oban.
Breedon Trading Ltd has made an application to extend the operating hours of Bonawe Quarry to allow for night-time dispatch, which has attracted 42 objections from the public.
Variations of the wording of two other conditions are also sought under the plans. Argyll and Bute Council officers recommended that the application should be allowed pending the holding of a public hearing.
The decision to hold the hearing, along with a site visit, was made by the council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee at its meeting on Wednesday, October 21. A date for the hearing will be announced by the authority in due course.
Planning officer David Moore said: “A site visit and hearing would give an idea of the elements that officers feel would help reach an informed and balanced decision.
“It would also allow the applicant and objectors to present their case to members on a complex and difficult decision, given the merits of the case on both sides.
“If this is agreed, I will not run through the presentation at this time.”
Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle (SNP, Isle of Bute) said: “I would be happy to go with the recommendation, and am also going to ask for additional information.
“I have read the report a couple of times but I was going to ask if we could also have information with regard to the number of vehicle movements.”
Councillor Kieron Green (Independent, Oban North and Lorn) added: “I agree with what Councillor Kennedy-Boyle is saying. These type of things might be something we can pick up at the hearing, but it would also be good to know the exact times the lorries were planning to leave.”
The committee then unanimously agreed to the site visit and hearing.
