The £8.6 million council investment in Dunoon’s waterfront is one step closer to being put into motion.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Dunoon CHORD project board has agreed the multi-million business case to make significant changes to Dunoon’s waterfront, which it hopes will help kick-start regeneration in the town.

Plans were approved to improve the road layout in front of the Queen’s Hall to make it simpler and more pedestrian-friendly as well as creating more space outside it.

Passenger facilities at the ferry terminal, adjacent to the Queen’s Hall, will also be improved.

The project will see a major transformation of the Queen’s Hall – a number of services and facilities will be brought together within, making it an attractive destination for visitors and residents; whilst the building will be extended, a learning centre introduced and the main hall and stage improved.

There will also be a large soft play area for family visitors to use in all weathers.

These improvements will markedly improve the use of the hall all year round.

At the same time the new road layout and increased public space will create a welcoming arrival point for visitors to the town, helping to make Dunoon even more appealing to tourists and businesses.

Once completed it is hoped the Queen’s Hall facilities will help encourage people to spend more time and more money in Dunoon, boosting the local economy and supporting other investments such as the tourism development at Castle Toward.

All of these proposals were discussed and well received at a public meeting on January 25 and agreed by the project board on February 3.

The CHORD programme board will now endorse the plans before they are considered by the Executive for final approval in March.

The CHORD project is a key part of the wider Dunoon and Cowal regeneration jigsaw and will improve the waterfront area for residents and tourists, acting as a catalyst for further investment in the area.

The design team will continue working closely with partners and there will be further consultation with the public as the detail of the plans progress toward a planning application in the summer.

Chairman of the Dunoon CHORD project board, Councillor Bruce Marshall, described the project as “a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a real difference to the town” and said that the council had "exciting plans" for the waterfront area, with the Queen’s Hall playing a pivotal role.

He said: “If approved this will mean an investment of almost £9m in Dunoon.

“We anticipate this will encourage other investments, such as the tourism development at Castle Toward.   

“We already have a major tourism development at Hunters Quay Holiday Village with those year-round visitors playing a large part in the town’s economy and an enhanced Queen’s Hall and waterfront will prove an attraction for them too.

“Looking at the bigger picture, it is extremely encouraging to see a number of businesses, community and council led projects in the area all progressing toward repositioning Dunoon in the visitor market. 

“I will be working whenever possible to ensure that the combined benefits of these are realised for the local community. 

“I am delighted at the progress made by the CHORD design team and at the decision of the project board to approve the business case.”

Further information and updates on the Dunoon CHORD plans will be made available on the council website pages here.

What are your views on the £8.6million investment for Dunoon’s waterfront? Will it help to regenerate the area? Or is it not really needed? Let us know here at s1dunoon.