NO community councils or groups expressed support for a supermarket on Helensburgh’s Waterfront during a consultation, a report has revealed.
In total, 94.8 per cent of respondents to Argyll and Bute Council’s survey on the site are reported to have expressed opposition to the proposal. Just three per cent were in favour, while 2.2 per cent were neutral.
The authority ran a consultation between June and August for proposals for the site in front of the town’s leisure centre, which also include three smaller retail units, a skatepark and additional car parking.
The consultation attracted 3,430 responses, 21 of which were reported to be from community councils and groups.
Of those, 20 stated they were against the proposal, while the Helensburgh Pier Company registered a neutral response.
The report will be considered by the council’s policy and resources committee at its meeting on Thursday, October 15.
The document states that “The majority argued that, in terms of themes, the land should remain common good land; Helensburgh already has sufficient supermarket provision; the waterfront should be used for leisure, tourism and community facilities; a supermarket would harm local businesses, detract from the waterfront and damage the town’s character [and] the council should preserve the land for public benefit.
“The supportive responses generally argued that the site should be developed rather than remain vacant; a supermarket could improve shopping choice; commercial development might bring investment, jobs or regeneration [and] some respondents supported retail development provided it was well designed.”
The report also said: “As explained, regardless of the outcome of the engagement exercise, the council must still apply its mind to its role as owner of the common good and the fiduciary duties that arise as a result of that ownership, the views that have been expressed in the current consultation in light of that role and then go on to consider whether or not consistent with that role and those duties, the appropriate course is to approve the disposal of the site for the proposed use.
“The council must have regard to the interests of the inhabitants of the former Burgh of Helensburgh. In reaching a decision the council must reach a view that is honestly held and then make a decision which it considers to be in the best interests of the community.”
