DIRECTORS at the leisure development Adventure Lane are a step closer to realising their world-class plans.
Councillors will be asked next month to endorse the proposal, as Argyll and Bute’s planning experts are recommending it gets support.
The multi-million-pound redevelopment of Rothesay’s Trinity Church faced a bump in the process with concerns about access and parking. These have now been addressed and the council’s planning committee will be asked to rubber-stamp the plan.
Director Chris Pescod said the team behind the project is delighted to have reached this stage and it is now over to councillors to decide if they go forward or not.
“I hope they approve the recommendations,” he added.
“Essentially, the difficulty arose as Trinity Church is on the wrong side of the red-line designation of the Rothesay Local Plan.”
But directors hope the conversations and discussions with Argyll and Bute’s planning department that have led to the recommendation to approve will be fruitful.
Chris Pescod, who is a building surveyor by profession, told The Isle of Bute News: “If we get the approval, that’s the signal for us to move on to the next stages of detailed design, getting out tenders for work and awarding the various building works.”
Director Sophie Reid said she is very happy to see progress on the project, which she believes will be an incredibly popular and important resource for Rothesay and the whole of Bute.
“Adventure Lane has always been about creating something special for the Isle of Bute, a place for families to spend time together, an attraction that extends the visitor season, creates employment opportunities and brings new investment into our island economy.
“To have reached this point is incredibly exciting, and we are deeply appreciative of the encouragement and belief that so many people have shown in the project.
“We will keep everyone updated as we move towards the committee decision on August 19 and hope to be sharing even more positive news in the weeks ahead.”
Funding for Adventure Lane comes from Saputo, one of the world’s largest dairy products companies, as part of its legacy from the takeover of Bute Island Foods.
With a bowling alley and a climbing wall as the centrepieces of the project, Adventure Lane will offer unique indoor spaces to meet, eat, drink and play.
People across Bute have signed a petition supporting the application.
The council’s planning committee will meet on Wednesday, August 19.
