A CONSULTATION will be carried out on the future of Helensburgh’s Waterfront commercial site after councillors agreed to do so.
Argyll and Bute Council officers recommended asking the public for their views after issues arose around the status of the common good land.
A meeting of the council’s policy and resources committee heard that negotiations with Forrest Developments Ltd, identified as the preferred developer in August 2024, were going positively. It was also stated that a planning application could be lodged by the end of the year.
A judicial review raised by Helensburgh Community Council found in favour of Argyll and Bute Council in November.
The policy and resources committee held a special meeting on the subject on Wednesday, June 24. The meeting had been due to begin at 2pm, but ended up starting after 6pm as the full council meeting earlier in the day overran.
Executive director Douglas Hendry said: “We have been able to pick matters up and have engaged with the prospective purchaser, who remain interested.
“However, issues have arisen, prompted in a way by the legal proceedings, about the status of the site. A common good issue in particular ring fences around common good land.
“That does not say that the council cannot sell it, but it puts in place steps that the council must take to go ahead with the transfer of the land that is common good.”
Ross McLaughlin, the council’s head of commercial services, said: “This has been a long-term proposal that has gone on for over a decade. We had the 2012 masterplan identifying the site as a mixed-use development.
“There is leisure, increased parking, sea defences and public realm, and the final piece of the jigsaw was the development of the commercial area.
“We have undertaken an open marketing exercise for all commercial parties and it was agreed by this committee in August 2024 to select the preferred developer.
“We have been progressing with them since that point. Since then we know there has been the legal challenge through a judicial review, but other due diligence and surveys have been ongoing. All are progressing well and are positive.
“When the review concluded in November, the court found in favour of the council and we have been able to pick up negotiations with Forrest.
“These are progressing positively with the anticipation of a planning application later this year, but prompted by the review, there have been title issues that have been identified.”
Councillor Gary Mulvaney (Conservative, Helensburgh Central) said: “The key thing here is getting on with the consultation. We do not pre-judge anything of course, but let’s do what is required and take the feedback from there.
“Speed is of the essence in these things, from the commercial point of view, as Forrest will be keen to get a deal signed, but also for timetables.
“We need to do the consultation, keep it as simple as possible, put it out to the public and take it from there, and if we were minded to convene a special policy and resources committee meeting it is something I would support.”
Councillor Ross Moreland (Liberal Democrat, Dunoon) added: “I would echo that we should not pre-judge a consultation but if a special meeting is required, I would support doing that.”
The council will launch the consultation on its website on Monday, June 29.
