A special hearing in Helensburgh will decide on £18.6m plans for a new leisure centre on the town’s seafront.
Argyll and Bute councillors in Lochgilphead yesterday agreed with their officials that the plan – submitted by the council itself – should be decided via a discretionary hearing, given the level of public involvement.
The proposals have divided opinion, with 116 objections to the planning application so far and 74 statements of support.
The plan makes no reference to the pier itself, which was closed to marine traffic on safety ground earlier this month.
On previous occasions, the council has stated that its policy is to consider any representations made on planning applications right up until the day of the decision.
If approved, the new swimming pool is now scheduled to open in mid-2021, with the existing pool demolished and all related landscaping works completed by the end of 2021.
As well as the leisure centre and swimming pool, flood defences are planned which would raise the site ground level by 1.4 metres, and have a flooding protection design for about 60 years.
The building has a design life of 40 years.
The council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee considered a report which stated that matters such as the internal design of the pool and its capacity were not relevant to the planning process, while the application does not include the retail element which the council says is needed to pay for the project.
New shops on the site would require a separate planning application, which the officials say would involve analysis of the need for them and their impact on the town.
Will this discretionary hearing be open to the public?
Yes it will be