At last week’s Bute and Cowal Area Committee members agreed to the design proposals for the Queens Hall element of the Dunoon regeneration project, funded through the Argyll and Bute Council’s CHORD initiative.

The regeneration project seeks to improve the character, appearance and functionality of the town for both residents and investors. The multi-million pound investment in and around the Queens Hall is part of the council’s overall strategy to make the most of Dunoon waterfront’s significant development opportunities.

The renovated Queens Hall, coupled with a major road realignment and public realm improvements, will make the waterfront an attractive, vibrant and contemporary space for residents and visitors to enjoy.

This design would see a renovated Queens Hall with a new, improved public entrance and street frontage off Argyll Street as well as improvements to the main hall, a soft play area on the second floor and a new fitness suite.

A public library would sit alongside new facilities earmarked for Skills Development Scotland on the first floor, with Visit Scotland relocating from their current building on Alexandra Parade to share the ground floor reception area with the hall’s facilities team.

Around the building the revised proposals would see the old marshalling area at the wooden pier, the Skills Development Scotland building and the mini-roundabout at the bottom of Argyll Street being replaced.

Taking their place would be a new, improved road system which is aimed at giving a higher priority to cyclists and pedestrians accessing both the main shopping area of the town and the Queens Hall itself, as well as improving access for motorists.

There would also be a public events space, with new paving and soft landscaping – trees, shrubs and a wildflower meadow.

The council has also secured funding from Sustrans to make improvements to the esplanade which will help more people to travel by foot, bike or public transport, complementing the proposals for the Queens Hall. 

The committee recognised the importance of the project and stressed the council’s commitment to delivering the project and revitalising Dunoon’s waterfont.

The designs will be exhibited in the Queens Hall to give people an opportunity to see for themselves and speak to the design team

Further details of these public events will follow.