The public has voted loud and clear against selling off the Common Good land on the Helensburgh Waterfront for a supermarket and retail development.
The results of the recent statutory Section 104 public consultation revealed that out of 3,430 responses, an overwhelming 94.75% opposed the sale of the town’s former leisure centre site.
KEY DETAILS OF THE SURVEY RESULTS
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The future of the site will be decided by the council’s Policy and Resources Committee. They are scheduled to formally debate the survey results and vote on whether to push forward with the land sale during a meeting in Lochgilphead on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Before that, here’s a taste of what the public believes should be considered:
It’s all very well that 95% have voted against the supermarket development, but the council needs this money, and I think it’ll come down to this fact. Has anyone or organisation made plans up for something else that we’d like to see and use? If it’s not going to be a supermarket, then what do people want instead? I’m very surprised and a little annoyed that the council would allow a building like that in Helensburgh town centre, as we’ve got many listed buildings and this doesn’t fit with the area.
Good luck in having something different.
Kathleen Snell
You need some kind of leisure activities there to enjoy Helensburgh front – not another supermarket that will be blown away or damaged by the fierce winds
Joanne Stannard
Surely, just by the weather alone, no business would want to go near this area. The leisure centre is the prime example. Would be very costly annual building upkeep.
Steve Mark Slater
I wouldn’t call this ‘losing’ £ 1.3 million when folk don’t seem to want it. To lose is to be disappointed with an outcome, and a lot of us aren’t. There are no other current plans because the council never consulted people as to what they wanted or closed the option for alternatives when they proceeded with this. It’s still going because money talks, and (apparently) the 5% who want it.
In a town which is being continually failed by A&B (IMO), has a multitude of closed stores, a pattern of Vape/Turkish Barbers and such like, a supermarket isn’t a way to recover footfall to the town which already has a Co-op and Tesco. Once a vibrant seaside holiday spot, now becoming a quiet, sparse spot of convenience. We pay a premium to live here; we have great views and a brilliant community – we deserve better.