Locals said the new supermarket would affect the town’s character and was not needed
by Bill Heaney
A controversial plan to site a supermarket on a prime site at West Clyde Street on Helensburgh’s waterfront has been rejected by Argyll & Bute Council after “significant local opposition”.
The proposal would have placed the supermarket on vacant common good land in front of the new leisure centre on the pier, along with three smaller retail units and a skatepark.
The scheme prompted a host of local protests, with a consultation showing 94.8 per cent of more than 3,400 responses were against the plan.
The local authority has now decided to refer the task of identifying options for the future of the waterfront to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee.
The council insisted the supermarket aspect of the plan would help the community and leisure elements of the waterfront in the long term, keep local spend in the local economy, and create jobs.
Any decision to sell or change the use of the land required the council to consult the local community, which opposed the plan.
Helensburgh Community Council took the step of seeking a judicial review of the waterfront supermarket decision, saying the council had not carried out a fair public consultation when choosing preferred developer Forrest Developments.
The Court of Session later dismissed the petition.
Feedback received in the recent consultation said the vacant land should be retained for leisure, tourism, recreation or community use, and said Helensburgh already has sufficient supermarket provision.
Others argued the supermarket would harm local businesses, detract from the waterfront, and damage the town’s overall character.
Alternative options now sought
Councillors voted not to sell the land for commercial use, with 12 in favour, two backing amendments, two abstaining, and one voting against.
Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee will now work on a financially sustainable alternative option for the disposal of the site, in consultation with the community.
Argyll and Bute Council leader Jim Lynch (SNP), right, said: “The proposed development could have brought significant long-term economic and community benefits to Helensburgh.
“However, at the same time there was significant local opposition to development of the site.
“We have listened to consultation feedback from local communities and taken the next steps in the future of the waterfront in a different direction.”
‘Is a realistic alternative available?’
Helensburgh Community Council’s convener Dr Peter Brown welcomed the decision, saying campaigners had shown “unwavering commitment” in fighting against the proposal.
“We are grateful that councillors have recognised not only the overwhelming strength of feeling expressed through the statutory consultation, but also the fundamental principle at stake – this land must be used in a way that genuinely serves the common good of the people of Helensburgh,” he said.
“The supermarket proposal did not meet that test. By rejecting it, councillors have affirmed the importance of protecting the Waterfront for uses that enhance our town and reflect the aspirations of the community.”
Dr Brown said a “more positive journey” could now begin with the council.
However, concerns were raised over what comes next.
Councillor Ross Moreland, left, had moved an amendment to approve the disposal to Forrest Developments Ltd, and establish a Helensburgh Common Good Fund.
“The key here is not that people would prefer a different use for the site; it is whether a realistic, deliverable alternative is available. That is where I have real difficulty with the motion before us,” he said.
“It does not identify a single deliverable alternative. It contains no development plan, no funding plan, no investment plan and no business case. Instead it refers the matter elsewhere, to be moved at some point in the future.”
That amendment only received one vote. The area committee will next meet on 23 November.
Later Councillor Fiona Howard (Labour) told The Dumbarton Democrat: “I am utterly delighted that today we have been able to call a halt to the sale of Helensburgh Waterfront for a supermarket.
“It has taken weeks of work since the consultation, lobbying and explaining the case for preserving the site in the ownership of the townsfolk – but it has been worth it.
“I would like to thank all the Argyll and Bute councillors who saw the sense of it, who decided to choose democracy and who supported the call for a different approach; and especially my fellow Helensburgh councillors for adding their voices to the battle, colleagues in the SNP Administration who kept their promise to listen and brought this outcome over the line and, of course, MSP Jackie Baillie for her help and support.
“Helensburgh owes a huge debt of gratitude to their community council for the dedication and fortitude which has seen them refuse to give up the fight. I am sure that today they are happy with the outcome and I, for one, am proud of what has been achieved and looking towards a co-operative and collegiate process to reclaim the waterfront for the benefit of Helensburgh and Lomond.
It is such a powerful word: NO!”
Additional reporting by Local Democracy Reporter Andrew Galloway.