THE Royal Navy’s newest and largest ships could be on their way to Loch Long under plans to carry out major work to the ‘northern ammunitioning jetty’ at Glen Mallan.

The Ministry of Defence wants to replace the existing docking facilities and to build a new jetty and cranes in its place.

Marine consultants Jacobs say the new jetty will be designed with sufficient strength, size and capacity to accommodate the Royal Navy’s newest and largest ships, the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, as well as the Navy’s other surface ships.

Work will also include the installation of around 200 piles into the sea bed, as well as four new navigation aids and five mooring dolphins.

A background report on the plans states: “The existing jetty and infrastructure (including two portal cranes) are approaching the end of their design life and thus refurbishment is required to facilitate continued use.

“Upgrade works are also required to achieve berthing capability for new vessels and in particular the Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carriers.”

The jetty has been operational since 1958, though the last significant modifications were carried out in the 1970s.

Work is set to get under way this summer, with completion expected in the summer of 2021.

A report on the ‘pre-application consultation’ on the MoD’s plans states that four people attended a drop-in event in Arrochar at the end of January giving the public a chance to view and comment on the proposed works.

That report says that while no objections were raised to the development, one member of the public voiced concerns over the impact of the work on the A814 road between Garelochhead and Arrochar.

However, according to the report, new materials will be delivered, and dismantled materials removed, from the site by barge, rather than by road, with dismantled material likely to be taken to the Inchgreen Dock in Greenock for onward disposal and recycling.

Copies of the plans, including an environmental impact assessment on the MoD’s proposals, are available to view at the Three Villages Hall in Arrochar between 9am and 5pm on weekdays, and by appointment only at the Gibson Hall in Garelochhead by calling Laura Cameron on 07555 695015.

Digital copies of the plans can also be obtained by emailing marinelicence.response@jacobs.com.

The deadline for public representations on the plans is 12 noon on Tuesday, April 23.