A new marina for boats visiting Oban Bay could be in place by 2017.
Local councillors on the Oban Lorn and the Isles area committee of Argyll and Bute Council decided yesterday that the north side of the North Pier should be the location for the new berthing facility.
Over the summer, following positive discussions with local interest group Oban Bay Marine (OBM), the council identified a deliverable scheme which could be in place for summer 2017.
OBM had previously called on the council to fund a 36-berth pontoon development between the North and Railway Piers.
But officers said the £2.2million plan was not financially viable as it required £1.8million of council funding.
Now plans are to progress for a facility to the north of the North Pier.
Chairman of the Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee, Councillor Roddy McCuish, said: “We are delighted to have identified a clear way forward which will provide the outcome everyone wants – a permanent transit berthing facility in a technically suitable location.
“This is a clear demonstration of the council working in partnership with the community towards a positive outcome which benefits everyone.
“We are looking forward to seeing this project taking shape in the coming months as it goes through our normal, evidence-based decision-making process, ensuring that any investment we make will have real long-term economic benefits to the people of Oban and surrounding areas.
“Officers will not begin work on a permanent solution, gathering more technical information to produce detailed designs and costings which will form the basis of a full business case.
“The business case will then be considered by members before we move to the next stage – securing a suitably experienced and well qualified contractor.”
The money for the berthing facility is to be delivered through the council’s Chord (Campbeltown Helensburgh Oban Dunoon and Rothesay) waterfronts project budget, of which Oban has a £6.9million share.