HEADLINES...
The next meeting of the Community Council is on Monday 15th August for members only. The next public meeting will be on September 25th.
Planning News - 14 August 2008
If you are interested in planning issues then you can keep up to date with the latest planning news from the Scottish Goverment by clicking here.
Planning - 30/07/08
Government housing policy launched on 28 July 2008, replaces the 2003 version, removes PAN 38 and brings SPP 3 into line with the modernisation of the planning system, reflecting the Scottish Government's housing agenda.
In brief, SPP3 makes it easier for local authorities to ensure they always have a five-year supply of effective land for housing, and enables them to bring forward more land for housing if it is required. It also sets out that developers and planning authorities work together to help provide high quality well designed homes in sustainable locations across Scotland that will benefit communities. For full information click here.
Local Plan - 21/07/08
The Reporter's findings on the Argyll & Bute Local plan are now available here. Deliberations for this Local Plan were started in 2000. Will this report satisy everyone? I think not. Will it bring an end to controversy, or will it stir it up to a new level? Only the coming weeks will tell.
Community Councils and Planning - 13/07/08
Over the course of the past few months the Association of Argyll & Bute Community Council's Executive Committee have been pressing Argyll & Bute Council to appoint liaison officers to assist community councils and individual residents in planning and other matters which involve two or more Council departments, and to promote planning training for community councillors. Both requests have not been met with unqualified enthusiasm. The AABCC is pursuing this matter and is seeking the support of member community councils.
Helensburgh in need of a makeover?
A Sunday Herald featured Alan Simpson of the Mackintosh School of Architecture on his mission to transform dowdy and decaying small towns. Does Helensburgh fit that description? Undoubtedly Helensburgh has been left behind in the town regeneration stakes. Fortunately we have not had a Bridgegate Centre imposed on us. That is Irvine's folly which is strongly featured in the Herald's article.
That Helensburgh recognises the need for improvement is evidenced by the number of studies, reports and design competitions that have already been carried out. The Helensburgh Partnership was set up specifically to address this issue. Will action come of it? Will the publishing of the new Local Plan break the deadlock? The town holds its breath and waits.
John Dickie Homes – Housing Development on the Old Academy Site
Planning approval has now been granted for the 166 houses. This will be largest housing development in Helensburgh for a generation. It is in a prominent position at the gateway to the town, and we can only hope that it will create a favourable impression on visitors arriving to the town. There can be no doubt that it will be a huge improvement on the current buildings that are on the site.
New Members
The Community Council is composed of both elected members and nominated members. There are vacancies on the Council at the moment and it is open for any local club or organisation to nominate someone to serve on the Community Council. So if you know someone who you think could make a useful contribution get in touch with the Chairman or Secretary, their contact details are available on the Members page.
Evidence submitted to PLI
The evidence that was submitted by the Community Council to the Public Local Inquiry on the Local Plan can be viewed here.