HELENSBURGH Community Council’s convener has urged residents to keep pushing ahead of a crunch council meeting concerning the town’s Waterfront.
A packed Tower Cinema, including MSP Jackie Baillie and Councillors Fiona Howard (Labour, Helensburgh Central) and Ian MacQuire (Independent, Helensburgh Central), heard from the community council on a proposal for a supermarket on the site at a public meeting on Tuesday, October 13.
Argyll and Bute Council has recently published a report stating that 94.8 per cent of respondents to a consultation expressed objection to the plans.
Council officers have recommended that delegated authority is given for a sale to Forrest Developments Ltd to be concluded.
The document will be considered by the authority’s policy and resources committee at its meeting on Thursday, October 15, which Dr Peter Brown said will be attended by community council members.
The meeting is taking place at the council’s headquarters in Lochgilphead, but can be viewed virtually through the authority’s website.
Dr Brown opened Tuesday’s meeting by telling attendees: “It might feel like the last stand against an immovable force, but again you are demonstrating how the community feels.”
A presentation then analysed the council’s report on the consultation findings, along with Fiona Baker speaking on common good land.
Dr Brown said: “There is a difference between being asked and being heard. Were we consulted? Well, yes – 3430 of us answered.
“The council ran the consultation and we, along with other local groups, worked hard to ensure people were aware of it. But were we listened to? No.”
Dr Brown then said: “There are three things we think can be done. We would encourage you to raise a complaint with Argyll and Bute Council using their formal process, under the category of development and infrastructure services.
“This is common good land which we do not want sold. The commercial impact on the town will be huge and independent retailers will be affected. It will deter visitors and it should be community-owned for the benefit of the community.
“It would also help for some people to attend the meeting. We already have some people who are going there, and it is also possible to attend remotely, which I have to do as I have to be somewhere else on Thursday.
“The order of the meeting should be that Helensburgh Community Council can ask for a deputation at the start of the meeting. If agreed, we will talk for up to 10 minutes.
“The item considering the report is item 11, the very last one, so you may have to wait for some time.
“Finally, as always, be in contact with your councillor, and talk to them as well.
