Loch Clash Pier Business Plan Sept 2017

In January we embarked on a “design charrette” that consisted of two public meetings and a survey of what sort of uses community members thought were best for the development of Loch Clash Pier.   The community feedback led us to setting out a series of design principles that reflected the views expressed during the “design charrette” process.  We then asked Barry Pearson to work on a proposal for the pier.

Please click on the link below to view the proposals.  We are seeking community input.  Do you like the proposals?  Do you suggestions?  Any comments may be made to any member of the Board.  Click on the “About” tab above for the email addresses of Board members.  Comments can also be made via the “Contact Us” tab.

The proposals will be presented at a public meeting (date to be confirmed).  The meeting will provide an opportunity to view the original drawings (which are at a larger scale than available here) and to ask any questions.  Nothing is set in stone and we are eager to listen to community opinion.

Artist’s Impression Front View

Artist’s Impression Rear View

Elevations – Front and Rear

West and East Elevations

Ground Floor Layout

First Floor Layout

Attic Floor Layout

Section

Click the link below to view/download a PDF document containing photos of Loch Clash buildings from the early 1900s to the present day.

Loch Clash Photos

The Board of Directors met on 14 February 2017 and considered the survey results to date, the community feedback at the two public meetings and informal conversations with local residents.

The Board of Directors came to the following conclusions.

• Loch Clash Pier should be a public space that happens to have a bunkhouse.  Local people and visitors should feel equally welcome to enjoy the pier.
• The building should have two main uses:  tourist information/heritage centre/broadband access/meeting place AND bunkhouse accommodation.
• Because of strong local opposition, we are dropping the café and retail space; however, we hope that the design will have enough flexibility that this may be added in the future.
• The development should take full advantage of its unique location on the sea.  The heritage centre could contain displays on local maritime history and fishing.  There could be facilities that cater to outdoor activities such as diving or kayaking.
• The building should “fit in” with other buildings on Loch Clash and should be in scale.  Board members preferred a building that would suggest the pier’s industrial past.

Loch Clash Design Principles February 2017

Preliminary results from the recent community survey indicate strong support for a (1) a bunkhouse, (2) tourist and heritage information centre and (3) a broadband access terminal.  Support for a café is evenly split between those who think that is very important and those who do not support a cafe because of competition with local businesses.  There is little support for either office or retail space.

In Question 20, respondents were asked to rank 9 potential uses.  The survey is now closed and the overall ranking of uses is as follows:

1. Low Cost Bunkhouse Accommodation
2. Tourist and Heritage Information Space
3. Toilets and Shower Facilities
4. Broadband Access Terminal
5. Café
6. Self-catering Kitchen Facilities
7. Communal Space
8. Small Retail Provision
9. Office Space

Our consultants, Alan Jones Associates, will be analysing the full survey results for the Business Plan which should be completed in the next few weeks.