A decision on whether alterations and extensions can be made to an Upper Helensburgh house will have to wait after a public hearing was adjourned.
Town resident Gail Crawford presented her plans for Redholm, at 4 West Lennox Drive, to councillors at the event on Wednesday and objectors also stated their cases.
But the meeting then had to be adjourned due to its chair Kieron Green having personal commitments.
Amanda Hampsey, the vice-chair, was not available, and the authority’s governance and risk manager advised that the meeting should be adjourned without an alternative chair being selected.
Three councillors travelled to Helensburgh for the meeting –Mark Irvine, Audrey Forrest and Jan Brown – but none of them got the chance to ask a question.
A date for the continuation of the hearing has not yet been set.
After planning agents had spoken on her behalf, Ms Crawford said: “I would like to thank the people of Helensburgh for their kind words of support, and most of the community who have stayed silent.
“I was raised and schooled in Helensburgh. I viewed a number of properties before deciding on Redholm, and I was under no illusion about the huge undertaking required to make my home watertight and futureproof.
“I was fully prepared for the level of commitment this property requires – but I was not prepared for the level of intimidation I have received.
“I was excited about the renovation process, designing my home, where I intend to stay for many years to come. After taking possession in October 2022, I found a continued stream was flowing through the house.
“After many investigative works, it became apparent that the issue was a flood drain problem, which has been long-standing.
“During the summer of 2023 I carried out further investigative work, as I could not just sit back and watch the fabric of my home deteriorate further.
“There is already evidence of subsidence and I suspect most homeowners would take the same course of action. Over the past 11 months my home has deteriorated further.
“I hope the council follows the advice of planning officers, who have carried out a rigorous process. Please note that this planning application does not involve anything not already existing in the immediate area. We need to be progressive; let’s lead by example.”
Nigel Millar, of Helensburgh Community Council, also spoke, saying: “What we are talking about here is a development inside the Hill House conservation area.
“One of the unique features of Helensburgh is the number and size of its conservation areas.
“We have three, and there is no other town near Helensburgh in terms of the overall percentage of area being covered by conservation areas. That puts responsibility on the community council to look at good design.
“We are not just gifted amateurs; we take our responsibility very seriously indeed, even more so with an application in a conservation area.
“We feel that what is being proposed here is discordant. The community council supports what you (Ms Crawford) are trying to do, making it liveable, and we are appreciative of Redholm in the conservation area and we want it to enhance rather than detract.
“But in this case, we feel that is not being achieved. We think today is totally unnecessary; we do not need to be here.”
Cllr Green had flagged up his personal commitments at the start of the meeting, saying that it would have to finish by 1.30pm.
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