Five kilometre on Islay granted planning permission

Plans for a 5km footpath on Islay have been granted permission – nearly three years after they were first lodged.

Islay Community Access Group applied to Argyll and Bute Council for approval for the path, on land between the former Drill Hall and Elder Crescent.

A report states that an Argyll and Bute Council roads officer sought revised information as late as May 2025 before saying that they had no objections, while NatureScot also sought further information in January 2025.

One objection, and one neutral representation, was received by the council from the public during the planning process.

A council planning officer said in a handling report: “The application is put forward by the Islay Community Access Group and looks to provide a coastal path to improve connectivity between the villages of Bowmore and Bridgend, providing safer access for pedestrian traffic, including cyclists, and to promote active travel.

“By the very nature of the development, the proposal straddles both settlement area and countryside area.

“The route was changed partway through the application process and is now on the landward side of the road, away from the shore and the designated site for the majority of the route.

“At the junction with the minor road, the B8016, the path crosses the main road and runs below the road on the seaward side, within the Bridgend Flats SPA/SSSI (special protection area/special site of scientific interest), protected for its geese, breeding bird assemblage, sand flats and saltmarsh.

“Around 700m of path passes through the SPA/SSSI, the majority of which will be on the very edge of the site adjacent to the road and will consist of a boardwalk raised above the saltmarsh.

“Due to the proposal’s location within designated areas, an appropriate assessment has been undertake. This concludes there will be no likely significant effects on any qualifying features, subject to the imposition of mitigation measures by planning conditions.

“NatureScot has reviewed the proposal and also concludes that the proposal will not adversely affect site integrity, subject to the mitigation.”

The official added: “It constitutes an enhancement to safe connections between two rural settlements on the Island, improving community infrastructure and connectivity with an appropriate layout, siting and design which poses no adverse impact on the wider site setting, environment or amenity.

“Planning permission is therefore recommended to be granted.”