Only a week remains for the public to have their say on plans that will shape the future of Argyll and Bute.
The council is consulting on its new Local development Plan (LDP2), which will set out planning and development proposals for the 10 years from 2020 and a vision for the next 20 years.
Several new sites for housing have been suggested for Cove and Kilcreggan, with sites for housing, business and tourism being put forward in Helensburgh, Cardross and Rhu.
For details of the Rosneath Peninsula sites see this earlier story, and for the Helensburgh, Rhu and Cardross areas see here.
As well as an online consultation, there have been brief exhibitions with display boards in towns including Helensburgh – these boards were of limited local relevance though often, posing open questions despite the only answers available being yes or no.
The council’s policy lead for planning and regulatory services, David Kinniburgh, said: “Thanks to everyone who’s taken the time to give us their feedback.
“At this stage these are ideas but we need people’s input so we can formulate a new LDP. It will build on the successes we’ve already achieved to make Argyll and Bute a great place to live, work, learn and do business in.
“If you’ve not had a chance to make your views known, please do. It’s really important that we know what you think about our ideas so we can really deliver a bold future for Argyll and Bute,” said the Dumbarton resident.
Among the main ideas posed by the consultation are:
- Supporting the ‘growing sectors of tourism, seafood and marine-related industries, distilling, forestry and energy
- ‘Taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the increasing investment and activity’ at Faslane by increased development in and around Helensburgh
- And exploring the possibility of a coastal National Park on Argyll’s west coast and its islands – oddly, the council suggests that it should retain control of planning matters in that area, which would be a departure from what has happened in Scotland’s first two national parks.
The consultation is available online at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/ldp2 – the deadline for taking part is December 11
The council says that following the current consultation, feedback will be reviewed and used to develop a formal LDP2 that will then go out to public consultation.
I didn’t go to the drop in thing at the Victoria halls but from what I hear it was a waste of time. Those that did go saw plans for the islands and west coast but nothing for Helensburgh. The colours on the maps are misleading; they all look pink rather than red or amber.
I looked at the map with numbers on it and thought some of the plans were reasonable but some were too far out into what is presently a green belt area. Do we really want the town to grow along the a814 beyond Waitrose to the east or into the field between the Ardencaple Hotel and the Dobbie’s site to the west.
The field between Duchess woods and Blackhill drive looks like a good idea if reasonable access can be created. That might need the purchase and demolition of at least 1 existing house.
It’s not clear what the plans might be for the two areas on opposite sides of the road at the reservoirs are. An industrial area on the south of the road would be good but I don’t think either are suitable for houses.
The one above Colgrain primary might be OK if it is done sensitively.