Balloch Pierhead Improvement Action Plan
Plans to improve Balloch Pierhead are progressing as part of our programme of investment in places across the National Park to deliver greater benefits for visitors, communities and businesses.
The Balloch Pierhead Improvement Action Plan has been developed following engagement with local communities, groups who use the area, landowners, businesses and partners over the last six months. It also draws on previous consultation on opportunities to make Balloch a better place for visitors, residents and businesses, which recommended actions to improve the pier area.
The aim of the new Action Plan is to set out a future vision for the Pierhead, help to attract investment in the area, and be used to guide planning decisions for the site in the years to come.
At this stage a Design Report outlining concepts for improvement actions has been created by Page\Park Architects on behalf of The National Park Authority and West Dunbartonshire Council.
Feedback from engagement
The engagement events held throughout November 2024 included a key stakeholder roundtable meeting, a public engagement event at the Pierhead, walking workshops on site with Balloch and Haldane Community Council and Maid of the Loch, and an online survey which received over 200 constructive and proactive responses. There was a follow-up roundtable meeting in February for the key stakeholders to review the developing proposals
These sessions identified four key themes for improvement:
- Enhanced attractiveness
- Functionality and organisation
- Access and movement
- Biodiversity and sustainable design
The report also draws on the background of the pierhead area, previous consultation as part of the National Park’s Local Development Plan and the wider policy context.
Next Steps
The next steps will be considering what the initial phase of work will be and how this can be implemented. What can be delivered quickly on site to start making improvements to the site operations or the site use will also be considered.
Place Programme
This is part of our ongoing programme of investment in places across the National Park, and an important lever in delivering the positive vision for the future of the Park set out in the National Park Partnership Plan.
These investments aim to make things better for visitors, communities and businesses while at the same time responding to the twin crises of the climate emergency and nature loss.
We know the community in Balloch care deeply about the place and preparations are underway to begin the Place Plan. Both the Improvement Action Plan and Local Place Plan will be considered by the National Park Authority in preparation of the forthcoming Local Development Plan, so we see this as an opportunity to work together to deliver a shared vision for the area.