Democracy Spraffa

South Islay Development Update1

Argyll and Bute Council · 1 November 2023
Back to Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group — 1 November 2023 and its agenda

Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.

Original council PDF · Download plain text

Page 1

SOUTH ISLAY
NEWS
SOUTH ISLAY DEVELOPMENT
Oct 2023
SONAS CHILDCARE & RAMSAY HALL UPDATE
FOLLOWING COMMUNITY FEEDBACK & AN EXCITING NEW
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FROM HIE FOR A PURPOSE-BUILT
CHILDCARE FACILITY PLANS HAVE BEEN AMENDED
Following the recent community consultation about the Ramsay Hall, the SID board and staff have
reviewed the community's aspirations and how best they can be met within the wider scope of The
Playing Fields. The Sonas Steering Group (Mums and childcare providers) also met with SID in order to
discuss the main topics with regards:
CHILDCARE FACILITY
UPGRADED ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES IN THE HALL
CHANGING ROOMS SMALL FUNCTION ROOM
The completion of a lease agreement for The Ramsay Hall with Argyll & Bute Council meaning the
management of the Hall will be run locally once again.
Pursuing new childcare facilities on the Playing Fields site in line with recent Scottish Government
guidelines.
New upgraded facilities in the main hall which are accessible to all.
A multi-purpose accessible space downstairs in The Ramsay Hall which is available to hire for
changing rooms or functions.
Dedicated storage for the main users - Port Ellen Juniors and Mother & Toddlers.
New office or storage rooms for hire in The Ramsay Hall.
Increasing the dedicated space for the play park and adding more equipment as funding becomes
available.
The SID Board have pledged to work towards:-
The plan shows the new location of a potential new childcare/nursery building on The Playing Fields
which has it’s own dedicated site and parking. This will complement the potential Ramsay Hall upgrade
for large functions/sports/events and the Community Hub building with it’s café, local businesses and
small function room.

Page 2

Copies of the Updated Plans are
available in local shops,
at the SID Office
or online at www.southislay.co.uk
Finalise the plans and submit
planning permission with Argyll &
Bute Council;
Continue to finalise the heads of
terms for The Ramsay Hall lease
with Argyll & Bute Council;
Continue to apply and secure
funding towards the projects on
the plan;
Continue to work closely with all
the  groups involved.
The Next Steps:-

Page 3

Port Ellen Playing Fields Construction Update
Construction is ongoing at the Playing Fields despite the weather! There have been a few delays
including some flooding; however, SID’s civil engineer has now increased and improved the planned
surface water drainage on site, which should get rid of the bigger puddles. The steel frame for the
building is expected to arrive soon and at this point visible progress should be quick!
The ground is also being levelled for the construction of the motorhome expansion, and the W/C,
shower & laundry block. This has involved moving a lot of soil and piling it at the back of the football
pitch. Please don’t worry as this will be dealt with as the construction progresses.
Thank you again for all your support and patience while the work is undertaken, especially given part
of the playpark was closed earlier than anticipated. Please be aware of construction traffic and note
there is still no parking on the Playing Fields. If there are any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch
with Rosie at portellenplayingfields@gmail.com.
Architect visualisations of the inside of the new Pavilion

Page 4

The SID Office is OPEN!
Office located at the rear entrance
of The Ramsay Hall.
Alyson MacGillivray - SID Development Manager
Kirsty Izat - SID Assistant Development Manager
Rosie MacLellan - PEPF Project Manager
Danielle McKerrell - Community Engagement Officer
Monday to Thursday 9 am – 4 pm
Friday 9:30 am – 2 pm
These hours may be subject to change.
If the office is closed when you visit, please call or email:
Call SID Office:  01496 300 579 and leave a message.
Email Alyson: southislaydevelopment@gmail.com
Email Kirsty: sidassistantmanager@gmail.cim
Email Rosie: portellenplayingfields@gmail.com
Email Danielle: sidcommunityengagement@gmail.com
Get to know your
SID and SITCo Directors:
Patrick McGrann - Director/Chair
James McFarlane - Director/Vice Chair
Dionne Johnston - Director
Jackie Thomson - Director
Jim Porteous - Director
Alex Gillespie - Director
Jordon Paisley – Director
Rosie Gordon -Director
Gordon Currie - SID/SITCo Director
Ian Faggetter - SID/SITCo Director
John Findlay - SID/SITCo Director
Niall Kirkpatrick - SITCo Director
Frazer Campbell - SITCo Director
Upcoming Events
Pop in and see us!
Lunch Club On The Move!
From April- October every Wednesday the Lunch
Club has been to every corner of the island, visiting
lots of great places Islay has to offer.
We enjoyed our last outing to Jura on 11th
October. Returning to Sea Salt on 25th October for
the winter.
I would like to give a heartfelt Thank You to each
and every one of you for attending. Was the
highlight of our week, making lots of memories to
share with others.