1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 This brief provides guidance on the planning considerations and development opportunities at Leverburgh Pier and surrounding area. Following public consultation, the Comhairle approved the initial brief for development control purposes in April 1997. The Comhairle approved the revised brief in August 1998.

1.2 It must be emphasised the brief does not make any commitment to development of the area. It is intended to form a guide for potential developments at Leverburgh, written to clarify the Comhairle’s position and desire to promote improvements and positive, viable, development within the area. The implementation of proposals contained in the revised brief will depend on various factors. The priorities are the environmental improvement of the area and improved berthing facilities at the pier.

1.3 The advice is offered without prejudice to the formal consideration of planning applications. Guidance contained in the brief is supplementary to policies and proposals contained in the draft Harris Local Plan. The brief draws on the following Comhairle policies:

• Environmental Services Key Tasks (2) the improvement of entrances to towns and villages;
• Development Services Key Tasks indicating Leverburgh as the next major fishery pier development;
• The Fisheries Plan (1989);
• Structure Plan policy PA5: improvement of fishery pier facilities in accordance with priorities identified in the Fisheries Plan, policy PA10; identification of sites with potential for industrial development in designated strategic settlements, and policy PA14; encouraging tourism.
• Harris Local Plan Consultative Draft October 1997

1.4 Recent events affecting the area include the Sound of Harris ferry service, the development of industrial units by Western Isles Enterprise (WIE), the establishment of an engineering workshop, proposals to improve the fishery pier, the completion of the Anchorage cafe/restaurant which incorporates public conveniences, the granting of planning consent for a hotel in the area, and the deletion of the explosives landing licence at the pier. These issues, including the existing site characteristics, highlight the need for a planning brief to co-ordinate development and ensure that land and resources are used to their full potential; as well as improving the immediate environment and the viability of existing users.

2. OBJECTIVES

2.1 The main objectives of the brief are:

• to demonstrate and promote the scope for future development;
• to guide, promote and co-ordinate development in a manner that will maximise the potential for development; and
• to provide a planning policy framework for the evaluation of future development.

3. LOCATION

3.1 The brief area consists of land in the southern part of Leverburgh. The area is defined by: Ferry Road, which forms the boundary along its southern side; the Obbe, which forms the boundary along its northern side; to the east, it ends where Pier Road joins Ferry Road; and along the west it follows the coastline, from the Obbe southwards to Ferry Road.

4. EXISTING CHARACTERISTICS

4.1 The area identified covers approximately 17ha of mostly flat land. A large part of the land is undeveloped and privately owned land used for grazing livestock.

4.2 A limited amount of development is situated in the southern area, where the fishing pier and ferry slipway are located. The Comhairle owns some land in this area. One parcel of land belongs to Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) who developed a block of three industrial units.

4.3 There is a small building near the pier, which used to be public conveniences and is now leased to pier users for storage. Fishing equipment such as creels is stored on a cleared space of open land close to the pier. Comhairle owned land north of the pier has been leased to an engineering company that has erected an engineering workshop opposite the approach road to the ferry terminal. Comhairle owned land immediately south of the new ferry slipway has been leased and recently developed as a cafe/restaurant with public conveniences.

4.4 The area is accessible from the south end of Ferry Road that leads to the A859. Ferry Road is single lane with passing places. Houses front directly onto the road along its southern edge. Where residential development predominates and the road is straightest, cars are parked on the roadside and this can make vehicle movements difficult, especially for buses and other large vehicles.

5. POLICIES AND PROPOSALS

5.1 There are a number of policies and proposals to help guide environmental improvement and future development in the area. These are outlined below and illustrated on the proposals map.

5.2 POLICIES seek to encourage and direct new development and explain the Comhairle’s position on key elements of land use and development. Policies will provide the means by which development will be evaluated and controlled.

5.3 PROPOSALS set out the development commitments or intentions of the Comhairle, other agencies and, in certain instances, private individuals. Proposals usually refer to the intent to carry out physical works at a specific location in accordance with a particular policy.

Road Access

5.4 Current access via Ferry Road is considered inadequate and the traffic causes a nuisance and safety hazard to residents along this road. Improved access and parking facilities are considered essential for the viability of new development.

Fishing Industry Facilities

5.5 The successful development of the fishing industry at Leverburgh is of strategic importance.

5.6 Existing storage facilities for fishing equipment (creels, bait, etc.) are rudimentary. Equipment is left on open space where it can easily be damaged or lost and it generates a poor, run-down environment. Improved storage facilities for the local fishing industry are highly desirable and should be located close to the pier for convenience.

5.7 The single planning application approach should simplify the process of development in the storage compound and will increase flexibility for fishermen at the same time as ensuring the site is regulated and controlled to the satisfaction of the planning authority.

Environmental Improvement.

5.8 The existing Pier environment has a somewhat bleak and neglected quality. Lack of stockproofing around the Pier and development sites degrades the local environment and is a potential health and safety problem. Improving the quality of the environment is considered important to make the area attractive for inward investment and it would improve conditions for the present users.

Visitor Facilities

5.9 Leverburgh waterfront is the "southern gateway" to Harris and Lewis, forming an important link to the southern islands. Use of the new Sound of Harris ferry service, introduced in the summer of 1996, has surpassed figures estimated before the service was introduced. Tourism is a growing industry and Leverburgh has the opportunity to tap into this industry, as well as providing many visitors with their first impression of Harris and Lewis. The site is located within a strategic settlement and there is little conflict with the environmental concerns of areas of special designation and it benefits from existing services, infrastructure and facilities. The site has an interesting history and Lord Leverhulme’s involvement offers an opportunity for interpretative developments.

Industrial Development

5.10 There is opportunity for further industrial development in this area, especially if the road access and Pier facilities are improved. The Comhairle owns only a small area of land that is not already committed to development.

5.11 The area identified as proposal E is not owned by the Comhairle. However, as it fronts onto the road and is immediately next to existing industrial units it is considered suitable for development.

5.12 Although the site identified in proposal F is not owned by the Comhairle, it presents an opportunity for development as the site has planning consent for the development of a hotel.

Development Control

5.13 The following policies highlight factors that the Comhairle will consider when determining planning applications.

5.14 Consultation with the Health and Safety Executive is appropriate due to the prior existence of a explosives landing licence at the pier. The licence has been deleted because of the Anchorage restaurant development and any new licence will be substantially modified. New development may impact upon reduced capacities and smaller safeguarding zones considered by the Health and Safety Executive for a new licence.

6. USEFUL CONTACTS

6.1 A list of useful contact addresses and phone numbers are provided below:

Useful Comhairle contacts are:

PROPOSALS MAP