Argyll and Bute Council has today the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee to develop options for the future of Helensburgh Waterfront, after considering the outcome of a recent public consultation and hearing from community representatives on earlier proposals.

The waterfront project has been advanced in phases under a long-term masterplan informed by public input. Delivered to date are the leisure centre, a public car park, sea defences and waterfront walkways.

The previously proposed final phase would have expanded leisure facilities with a reinstated skatepark and introduced commercial development designed to fund the community and leisure elements over the long term, retain local spending and create job opportunities.

Because part of the site is held as common good property, the Council was required to consult local residents before deciding on any disposal or change of use.

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Consultation feedback indicated strong opposition to selling and commercially developing the site, with nearly 95% of the 3,430 responses against the proposal.

At today’s meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee, councillors considered the consultation results alongside the potential community and economic benefits of the scheme, as well as the Council’s Common Good obligations. The Committee also heard from a delegation of Helensburgh Community Council setting out local opposition.

The Committee decided not to pursue the commercial development and to refer the matter to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee to prepare financially sustainable alternative options for the disposal of the site, in consultation with the community, and to report back to a future meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.

Councillor Jim Lynch, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council said: "The proposed development could have brought significant long term economic and community benefits to Helensburgh. However at the same time there was significant local opposition to development of the site.

"We have listened to consultation feedback from local communities and taken the next steps in the future of the Waterfront in a different direction.

"I look forward to hearing progress from the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee on sustainable alternative options for the site.”