Following the enviably go-ahead Tobermory Harbour Association’s development plans, around 50 local residents interested in Mull’s marine leisure and tourism facilities attended an information event hosted by Tobermory Harbour Association [THA] and The Crown Estate last week – on 11th September.
Members of the public were presented with information on plans to expand Tobermory Harbour, providing new infrastructure to improve the current marine tourism offer; and bringing long-term benefits for the community and visitors to the Island.
£320,000 has already been invested by The Crown Estate in new pontoons at Tobermory Harbour, benefiting locals and attracting visitors – as well as delivering knock-on benefits for the local economy. These ‘Phase 6′ plans – which include a new pier, slipway, pontoons, boat servicing area and a separate landing berth for cruise liners – will further enhance harbour comfort and safety, increase capacity for new visitors and enable new charter boat opportunities.
The evening event last week, held in the Aros Hall, also provided an opportunity for locals to learn more about a new Local Management Agreement between The Crown Estate and Tobermory Harbour Association (THA). This is a significant step towards THA securing a long-term lease for the seabed. That lease, together with their proposed Harbour Empowerment Order, would give THA full management control of Tobermory Bay.
Brian Swinbanks of Tobermory Harbour Association says: We were delighted with the number of people who turned up to view our expansion plans for the harbour which will position Tobermory as a hub that delivers long-term sustainable benefits to the residents of Mull, to other islands and to the mainland.
‘The event proved popular with local residents and provided them with an opportunity to learn more about our partnership with The Crown Estate and the Harbour Association’s on-going work to secure statutory harbour authority status for the community.
‘The positive level of interest is encouraging and the THA will continue to keep the local community informed as our plans for the harbour progress. In the meantime, people can visit our website here for further information.’
Crown Estate Asset Manager Paul Bancks, says: ‘We’re incredibly pleased to be working with Tobermory Harbour Association to help them expand their marine tourism facilities and it’s encouraging to see local support for the plans. This will help deliver knock-on benefits for the community and wider area.
‘Our Local Management Agreement with Tobermory Harbour Association builds on our long-standing partnership with the harbour and our commitment to working collaboratively with coastal communities.’
The Crown Estate introduced LMAs in 2012 to help local organisations directly manage areas of seabed and foreshore by developing projects that provide economic, social or environmental benefits for the community. LMAs offer packages of support such as project management and legal advice, help in securing funding and, when appropriate, direct investment on a commercial basis.
Other Crown Estate LMAs include the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust’s plans for a walkway, pontoons and more moorings at Ardminish Bay; and a Portree harbour project to expand capacity for cruise ships.
At Lochmaddy in North Uist, where the UK’s first LMA project was developed, berthing and visitor facilities have already attracted over 300 yachts from the UK and Europe in the first two months of operation. The income generated will be used for further pontoons and other facilities, as well as to support community events.
