Green belt targeted as consultation starts on new plan

The first round of consultation on a key document to plan development in Argyll and Bute closes a week today.

The council’s Local Development Plan (LDP) 2 took effect last month, but already officials say they are targeting Helensburgh’s green belt in its replacement document.

An online consultation, which closes on March 25, is the first step in the new LDP3, which is expected to take effect in 2029.

A spokesperson said: ” Community engagement is important in the planning process – it influenced the current policies and proposals in the LDP2 and will influence the forthcoming plans and policies in LDP3.

“We are therefore seeking the views of the public on the content of the participation statement which sets out how we intend to carry out this engagement.”

The final round of the LDP2 consultation saw all requests for changes made by the public and landowners rejected by the council, with sites in Helensburgh, Kilcreggan, Cardross and Garelochhead being zoned for new housing.

Last year landowners Luss Estates released a document which proposed housing on seven new sites – including two in Helensburgh’s green belt.

And last month it was revealed here that council officials wanted to pay consultants £200,000 to help target Helensburgh’s green belt for housing.

With Argyll and Bute still facing a declining and ageing population, the council is desperate to improve the economy.

But officials have ruled out ‘growth of any significant size’ on any of the area’s islands, the Cowal Peninsula or the Mull of Kintyre, while Oban is said to be ‘increasingly physically constrained and nearing its topographical capacity for growth’.

A report published last month stated: “Helensburgh and Lomond enjoys proximity and connectivity with the central belt and the development of HMNB Clyde is increasing the naval staff by 1,700 and their families, and brings further associated civilian population.

“However growth of the area is restricted by the green belt designation which was designed to contain the settlements.”

The survey closes on March 25.