REDEVELOPING a disused torpedo range in Arrochar should be Argyll and Bute Council's top priority for the area, according to officials.

A report on the site was considered by members of the authority's Helensburgh and Lomond area committee last week.

Planning permission to develop the site with a timeshare facility, marina and housing development lapsed last year – but Argyll and Bute economic development officials say they're still keen to encourage a redevelopment of the land, working with the Arrochar, Tarbet and Ardlui Area Forum.

A report prepared ahead of the meeting, by director of development and infrastructure services Pippa Milne, said: “The site of the former Royal Navy torpedo factory is also included as a standing item at the Forum under the heading ‘Ben Arthur resort’, which references the name associated with the proposal for a hotel, timeshare, marina and housing development on the site, the planning permission for which has now lapsed.

“To date, discussion has been mainly in relation to the unkempt nature of the derelict site and the attempts to curb fly tipping and antisocial behaviour. There is therefore significant need to make a concerted effort to try and stimulate the redevelopment potential of the site, with a longer term view to seeing the area improved and the wider economic growth potential boosted.

“Discussions with the owner of the Ben Arthur development site and potential developers have taken place to consider ways of addressing the issues of dereliction, with a view to finding a productive economic function for the site given its prominent location on the A83.

“The complex site has a number of constraints to overcome and a multi-agency response will be required to bring forward a positive solution that addresses the environmental dereliction and has the potential to provide a source of employment for the area.

“Through adopting a collaborative approach, this specific area of work is considered to be the area of Arrochar at this point in time where projects and regeneration development officer resource would most usefully be directed.”

The Arrochar torpedo range was built to support the manufacture and testing of torpedoes produced in Greenock and Alexandria.

In 1944, at the height of its activity more than 12,500 torpedoes were test-fired down Loch Long – an average of 48 per day.

The facility closed in 1986.