Argyll and Bute’s Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2) identifies the Oban area as a growth area, given factors such as its position at the centre of the identified Tobermory-to-Dalmally growth corridor, strong transport connections, and a comparatively younger, economically active population.
To support this, LDP2 includes Proposal B which is an action to develop a long-term strategic development framework for the area to enable sustainable development. The Oban Strategic Development Framework (OSDF) will guide how the area evolves over the next 20 to 40 years and will examine how best to support a growing population while safeguarding the natural environment. It will also consider what future infrastructure may be needed - from schools and transport links to housing and community facilities - and how to balance these needs with the protection of important landscape and environmental assets.
Through engagement and collaboration with partners and stakeholders, the OSDF will identify preferred locations for strategic growth, taking into account identified constraints to delivery. It will provide key evidence which will inform the preparation of LDP3 which, once adopted, will embed the Framework into the statutory Development Plan.
Therefore, the OSDF itself will not allocate land for development, this will be done through the formal processes for LDP3 and future LDPs beyond.
The OSDF will be accompanied by a delivery plan setting out key actions that will be required to deliver development in the areas identified. These actions will serve as an overarching guide for all the partners involved in delivering development and making investment decisions in matters such as infrastructure provision.
The key stages of the project are set out below.
Early-Stage Work
The early stages of project work commenced in 2025 and have involved gathering background data and information on a range of themes including:
- Topography
- Transport infrastructure such as roads, railways
- Watercourses and flooding
- Energy infrastructure such as gas, electricity
- Nature and biodiversity such as woodlands, peat and carbon rich soil
Planning and wider policy at national and local level has been reviewed to understand the policy framework that the OSDF sits within.
A range of stakeholders have been engaged to assist with gathering of information and data. Workshops for local councillors and community councils have been held to explore the issues and opportunities. Two dedicated sessions have also been held with Higher geography and environmental science students at Oban High School to explore themes from the perspective of younger people living in the area.
All this work has fed into the identification of key issues and opportunities for the area, the amount of land that might be required over a 20-40 year period and the consideration of potential locations that could accommodate strategic development over the long term.
Current Stage - Community involvement
A community drop-in event is being held on 11 March from 2-8pm at the Corran Halls. This is a chance to come along and meet the team working on OSDF, see information relating to the project work to date and provide thoughts and ideas.
A feedback form will be available at the event. For those unable to attend, all display materials will be published in a virtual exhibition room a link will be available below from 11 March, along with an online version of the response form, which will remain open until 5pm on 20 March.
OSDF Drop-in Event Virtual Exhibition Room – Open from 2pm on 11th March until 5pm on 20th March
It is appreciated that the OSDF project will prompt a range of questions. In anticipation we have put together a Q&A page Oban Strategic Development Framework Frequently Asked Questions which will hopefully answer some common questions. Following the drop-in event the page will be updated to reflect questions and comments raised.
Next steps
Following the drop-in event any feedback will be reviewed and taken into account. From there work will focus on the preparation of the OSDF itself and the associated delivery programme, which will be subject to Member approval.
Project Documents
Urban Capacity Study (coming soon)
