2015 Achievements

October 2015

Thomas Telford Corpach Marina meets with Gael Force Engineering (Highland manufacturer of proven marina systems) who are reviewing the marina design based on our recent engineering surveys. A new layout taking into consideration all issues, especially the views of Scottish Canals, will be available for wider consultation by end of November

Committee members have met with key funders in advance of the next phase of preparatory works.

Thomas Telford Corpach Marina are consulting with local businesses. Reactions so far have been positive, here is one example:

Corpach Boat Building Company

There is no doubt that a marina by the Corpach Canal basin would be good for the local community, good for local boat users, and good for visiting yachts.

Over the 20 years plus that we have been in business in Corpach, we have seen an increasing number of yachts visiting from Scandinavia and the  continent on their way to or from the west coast.  A marina would encourage more yachts to stay and visit Corpach and Fort William and use the facility for crew changes enabling visitors to join or leave a vessel in Corpach.

For a number of years we have been attending yachts in the canal who are on transit and have encountered mechanical problems. A marina would potentially increase this level of business and enable us to offer a dedicated service to leisure boat users visiting or resident in Lochaber.

Corpach Boatbuilding Company fully support the development of a marina facility in Corpach.

Don Hind, Managing Director

September 2015

Funding requests
We are submitting requests to a number of bodies, including HIE, for additional funding to take the project to a pre-construction fully consented stage. This is an essential prerequisite to the capital funding applications for a design and build contract.

Hydrography and topography reports
These have now been completed and the results have been assessed by our consulting engineers. Initial indications are that the original concept design, as set out in the 2011 Yachting Worldwide study, would mean very extensive rock and silt removal/dredging – at a cost likely to far exceed the original budget.  In order to mitigate this, we are examining with Scottish Canals and Gael Force Marine whether the marina design can be altered with a move further out from the shore, possibly with a reduced number of berths. Pending the outcome of this critical work, our applications for Planning Consent and a Marine Scotland licence have been put on hold.

Leader
A meeting has recently taken place with the LEADER project manager, Martin Culbertson, and we are clear on the timescales and approach for a funding application to support project management services. This process will begin next month with an Expression of Interest, and we are hopeful that an approval might be forthcoming by the late Spring of next year.

Fort William Marina & Shoreline Association
A meeting was had with the promoters of the Fort William Marina & Shoreline Association, who are focussed initially on the creation of a cruise-liner berthing facility in the vicinity of the West End car park, though with wider long term aims. Both organisations agreed that our projects were complementary and non-competitive to each other. Our joint statement is as follows:

“Thomas Telford Corpach Marina group and the Fort William Marina & Shoreline Association met on 3rd September to review their proposals for marine tourism in the area.  Corpach Marina is focussed on providing a public access slipway and attractive marina in Corpach.  The FWMSA is focussed on providing safe facilities for cruise ship companies to gain better access to the shore and to the amenities of Fort William and the surrounding area.  Both projects fit very well with the recently published Marine Tourism Strategy for Scotland.  We have seen the strengths of our respective projects and are agreed that they are complementary projects.  We are clear that we will focus on our own objectives, but our united aim is to develop facilities for visitors to the Fort William and Lochaber area, and for the whole community to enjoy and benefit from.”

August 2015 ~ Westminster and Scottish Parliament MPs
We had a very positive meeting with Dave Thompson MSP and Ian Blackford MP, to inform them of our proposals and to seek their support as we move forward. In addition, we continue to ensure that the project is represented at the important Marine Tourism cross-party group, which meets quarterly at the Scottish Parliament under the chairmanship of Stuart McMillan MSP. This committee is the sponsor of the recently published Marine Tourism Strategy for Scotland, with which our project is an excellent fit.

July 2015
During the summer, tenders were sought and contracts let to firms specialising in engineering surveys. This work included mapping the hydrography and topography of the seabed and foreshore in the target area.

Earlier achievements in 2015

• Signing a local management agreement (LMA) with Crown Estates, governing rights to the necessary seabed area for the next 5 years
• Agreeing heads of terms on 50-year leases with the three landowners involved
• Consulting widely with local community councils, the Highland Council, and potential partners in the project such as HIE, Scottish Canals, the Crown Estates, VisitScotland, Lochaber Chamber, etc
• Forming a not for profit company, limited by guarantee, which will be activated when the project is commissioned
• Commissioning consulting engineers to advise on the required technical approach
• Publishing a website to ensure that up to date information on the project is publicly accessible