The development of a new business park at Oban Airport, Scotland, has progressed with the appointment of Robertson Construction Northern as the main contractor.
The project, overseen by hub North Scotland, is part of Argyll and Bute Council’s Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) Pilot Project for the Lorn Arc Area.
The Oban Airport Business Park development is set to deliver essential infrastructure, boosting the local economy by fostering an aviation, engineering, and logistics cluster.
This initiative is also aimed at reversing population decline in the area by creating higher-paid jobs for residents.
Planning permission has been secured for one of two commercial buildings intended for lease within the business park.
These buildings are contingent on a £7.68m ($10.3m) funding application from the Community Regeneration Partnership Fund.
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By GlobalDataThe council has committed £7.25m from the TIF fund for additional roads, infrastructure, and utilities, with £1.6m already sanctioned for development costs to maintain the project timeline.
Moreover, the business park will facilitate the West Coast UAV Logistics and Training Hub project, which has received up to £4m from the UK government as part of the Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal.
This investment is expected to transform the airport into a hub for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology research and development, leveraging recent drone trials in Scotland’s rural and island areas.
The funding will also support the establishment of Scotland’s first specialised drone training and research centre, complete with hangars and maintenance facilities for UAVs and general aviation aircraft.
Robertson Construction Northern regional managing director Ian Phillips said: “This project represents a significant investment in Oban’s future and an opportunity to deliver the infrastructure needed to support business growth, innovation, and employment. It builds on the ongoing collaboration between Robertson, Argyll and Bute Council, and hub North Scotland, and we look forward to helping bring these plans to life.”
North Scotland hub chief executive Richard Park said: “We have had an excellent long-term working relationship with Argyll and Bute Council and the Oban Airport development is a further demonstration of that commitment. This will be a transformational project which will create great opportunities for the airport and the local communities.”
In February 2025, Clackmannanshire Council’s well-being hub and new school project in west Alloa received full planning approval, with Robertson Construction Central East set to lead the delivery of the community and educational facilities.
