Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands Conservative MSP, joined many local businesses today at a meeting with Argyll & Bute Council planning officials and Councillors over the controversy surrounding Argyll & Bute Council’s attempt to force them to remove their road advertising signs on the A85 and A828 roads. Those officials present were Howard Young, Area Team Leader, Oban Planning Office, Daniel Addis, Enforcement Officer and Adrian Jackson-Stark, Strategic Planning.

Speaking afterwards at the Castle Stalker View Café where the meeting took place, Jamie McGrigor said:

“ It was quite obvious from the passion expressed to me by local businesses how strongly people feel about this issue. Local businesses are finding it hard enough to survive this recession without extra hurdles being put in their path such as being told to take down their advertising notices.

“ Many of these have been in place for 30 years and I fully understand why this has become a burning issue. I was pleased that the council and planners came to the meeting having already written to businesses apologising for being too heavy handed