The Helensburgh Waterfront Development project has taken a major step forward after councillors agreed to progress plans that will see a new leisure centre and swimming pool opened in 2021.
At today’s (Thursday 21 June) meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area committee, councillors approved a recommendation to allow a formal detailed planning application to be made, and also agreed that the project team should progress to the technical design stage of the process for core elements such as piling and foundation work.
It follows a comprehensive pre-planning public consultation process, which saw more than 1300 responses gathered and requiring officers and councillors to have more time to examine and consider all of the views put forward.
The main feature of the £18million project will be a new leisure facility and swimming pool, with associated parking and coach drop-off, and public realm works that will meet the needs of the community. Additionally, flood defences at the waterfront will be enhanced.
The proposal also safeguards plans for the potential future development of retail units, possible play park and skate park facilities and improved landscaping at the Waterfront.
Councillor Ellen Morton, Chair of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, said: “I’m very pleased that this important development has taken such a big step forward and that the project team can now move towards applying for detailed planning permission and getting on with the technical design, which will take into consideration the views of the public. I would like to once again thank each and every person who responded to the consultation.”
The report agreed by committee includes a timeline that anticipates the new swimming pool opening in mid-2021, with the existing pool demolished and all related landscaping works completed by the end of 2021.
Councillor Gary Mulvaney, Policy Lead for Strategic Finance and Capital Regeneration Programme, added: “This project will transform Helensburgh Waterfront and help further develop the town as a great place to live, work, invest and visit. As well providing state-of-the-art leisure facilities for local people, the Waterfront project is expected to encourage additional private sector investment in the waterfront area and town centre. I would like to add my thanks to everyone who responded to the consultation and to Helensburgh Community Council for their significant efforts in gathering such a large number of responses.”
The full report can be viewed online at https://bit.ly/2I3lPZz