THE proposed development at Helensburgh’s Waterfront could have created 60 jobs in the town, a councillor has claimed.
Plans for the future of the site were referred back to the local area committee at a crunch meeting, going against Argyll and Bute Council officers’ recommendation to approve its disposal.
The council’s plan for the site was to install a supermarket, three smaller retail units, a skatepark and additional car parking.
Members of Helensburgh Community Council made a deputation at the start of the meeting of the authority’s policy and resources committee on Thursday, October 15, after it was reported that 94.8 per cent of respondents to a council consultation opposed the plan.
Councillor William Sinclair (Liberal Democrat, Cowal) then raised the question of the jobs that he believed could be created.
He was one of two councillors to back an amendment, alongside its mover Councillor Ross Moreland (Liberal Democrat, Dunoon), which would have seen disposal approved and a Helensburgh common good fund created.
It was defeated by a motion by Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess (SNP, Helensburgh and Lomond South) to not currently let the sale proceed and refer the matter back to the area committee, with a further report to come to the policy and resources committee. That motion attracted 12 votes.
Before the decision was made, community council deputy convener Polly Jones told the committee: “You have a clear choice. You can approve the sale of common good land in opposition to the overwhelming views of the community, or you can make good why you stood for election and work with us to create a Waterfront that genuinely benefits Helensburgh. Do the right thing and reject this proposal.”
Councillor Sinclair then said: “The proposal we have here, in my opinion, develops 60 additional jobs. It offers people the opportunity to gain employment, and we are looking at the Co-op, who are a good employer.
“My question is – how can you just discount 60 jobs?”
Ms Jones responded: “Employment is really important to our town. We are concerned about increasing jobs.
“But this proposal recommends moving an existing supermarket to another location and this goes right to the heart of our concerns about the retail study. How can a supermarket that already exists increase the number of jobs?”
David Allan, the council’s estates manager, then told the committee: “The 2012 masterplan, developed after a community consultation, provided for a mixed use development at the Waterfront, and the planning process provides for further consultation.
“The proposed development would provide a mixed use destination. Pre-development work has established that conditions are favourable for development, access arrangements are suitable and interest is high.
“Some have questioned whether it is needed and whether the proposed development might affect town centre businesses.
“The council commissioned separate retail advice which said it can support leisure space and can help retain spending in the town, increase footfall and increase the town centre’s long-term vitality and sustainability.
“Members must consider the evidence alongside the concerns raised, and are entitled to decide what weight should be attached to the consideration.
“The community council, and many individual respondents, have proposed alternative uses, including public space, community and cultural facilities and leisure provision.
“These have been considered carefully, but a number are being delivered elsewhere in the town. Event space is also delivered in Colquhoun Square, Hermitage Park and the Waterfront.”
