HELENSBURGH COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Helensburgh - Be Better: Be Excellent"

 

Minutes of the Helensburgh Community Council Meeting

Thursday 24th April 2008

 

Present: John S. Croy, Ian Fraser, Marion Gillies, James Gorie, Alastair Macbeth, Compton MacGill, Findlay McQuarrie, Nigel Millar, Jim Milligan, Maggie Sheen, David Sinclair, Richard Trail, Gordon Tran and John White.

 

Councillors: Vivien Dance, Ellen Morton, Gary Mulvaney, Andrew Nisbet, Al Reay and James Robb.

 

Helensburgh On Line: Fiona Howard, editor.

 

Apologies: Ronnie Finnigan, Catriona Malan, Stewart Noble and Kathleen Siddle.

 

Chair: Nigel Millar.

 

Topic

Minute

Decision / Action

1. Welcome

The Chair welcomed those present. He congratulated Councillor Vivien Dance on her being named Citizen of the Year and Alison Rutherford as Unsung Hero for her work with the East Bay Protection Group.

 

2. Public Session

No matters were raised.

 

3. Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes were gone through and all action points dealt with; they will presented for approval at the May meeting.

 

4. Matters Arising

4.1 Hospital Bus

Councillor Andrew Nisbet reported that draft timetables have been prepared which show that the connections to it in Dumbarton from Helensburgh and the Lochside area are unsatisfactory, either because of timing, or lack of shelter. Investigation is ongoing to establish if the times of the 340 can be made more convenient for the connections.

The position was noted and  Councillor Nisbet will continue with his enquiries.

 

4.2 Additional Filling Station

The Chair had been contacted by the Helensburgh Advertiser in connection with the current fuel supply difficulties. He indicated that this reinforced the case for a

 

Topic

Minute

Decision / Action

 

second outlet in Helensburgh.

 

 

4.3 Planning Application for Old Hermitage Academy Site

Ian Fraser reported that it had been conceded that the affordable houses needed to be built at the same time as the rest of the site. A&BC are adamant about the need for Guy Mannering Road to be made into a through road. There is to be a discretionary hearing on 8th May to try to resolve outstanding issues in connection with this site.

 

 

4.4 Speeding on Dual Carriageway

It was not established if action had been taken on the action point.

It was questioned whether speeding was still an issue, but it is clear that lane marking on the approach to the roundabout from the west is not satisfactory.

It was agreed that A&BC should be requested improve the signing on the approach to the roundabout.

 

4.5 Entries to Town

A&BC had been contacted in connection with the steel fencing at the coup and the new Council Depot.

It was commented that there was an issue at the new depot of the fencing between it and the main road. Quick growing trees and shrubs are to be provided to provide visual screening and a damper for noise. The Helensburgh Tree Trust had offered to provide trees. Screening will also be provided at the depot to minimise noise and light pollution for nearby residents.

A right turning lane is to be provided at the entrance to the coup and this may provide the opportunity to improve the visual appearance of the railings and provide screening.

It was agreed that Scottish Water be contacted about the state of the steel fencing at their premises.

5. Proposed Heritage / Arts Centre

Phil Worms presented his vision for the provision of a heritage / arts centre in Helensburgh making use of the reservoirs area, about to be disposed of by Scottish Water, and the Clyde Street School. So far, he has 53 names on his list of fame.

There followed a question-and-answer session and some discussion. Points made included:

·        There is the need for a single Helensburgh website rather than a multitude of ones.

·        Is there a use for the municipal buildings?

·        Should the Helensburgh partnership be the vehicle for leadership?

·        Reservoir Nº 3 is owned by Scottish Water and is included in the intended sale.

The HCC was impressed by Phil Worms’ presentation and

 

Topic

Minute

Decision / Action

 

his vision for the Clyde Street Centre and the reservoirs. It would do all it could to support his efforts.

 

6. Town Issues

6.1 Community Council Web Site

Richard Trail reported that the web hosting company had been changed and that the site itself is being revamped to include the facility for moderated feedback.

The position was noted.

 

6.2 Publicity

The Chair reported that Karen Brabender had agreed to take on the role of publicist for the Community Council.

The position was noted.

 

6.3 Difficulties of Small Businesses

The question of the supply for small businesses was raised on behalf of Catriona Malan. Some are experiencing difficulties in getting supplies, eg rolls in the butcher’s and chicken in the fishmonger’s. It was indicated that is a normal factor in business in general and that small businesses have to be imaginative in their reaction.

 

7. Statutory Plans

Alastair Macbeth gave a report on the current position with the Modified Draft Final Local Plan, see Appendix I. He made the following proposals:

(i)    that HCC be ready to analyse Reporters' recommendations affecting Helensburgh;

(ii)   that HCC should join other local groups in making any representations  (NB : those groups may also publish separately, related to their own areas of specific interest.);

(iii)   that HCC should arrange to meet with Mark Lodge with the aim of establishing a cooperative and positive relationship.

(iv)     That HCC should prepare to contribute to an Urban Capacity Study and a Landscape Review.

These four proposals were agreed.

6. Planning

Gordon Tran submitted a report on behalf of the Planning Group, see Appendix II.

In the case of item 6 of the report it was clarified that the decision has been postponed until after legal advice has been obtained.

The position was noted.

 

Item 9 arises from the Conservation Areas Appraisal as the difficulty in design appreciation is setting design into the context of the area.

It was agreed to pursue the matter of training in design appreciation.

 

It was suggested that the development of the old Hermitage Academy site would give an opportunity to determine from a significant number of new properties whether the need for new properties arose from existing residents of Helensburgh or from incomers to the town.

 

Topic

Minute

Decision / Action

7. Finance

The Chair presented the as-yet unaudited accounts of the Community Council. Previously they had been audited by Jim Fergusson who had recently died. These accounts will be audited by John Johnston, a retired accountant.

The position was noted.

8. Any Other Business

Bus Service 216

Councillor Nisbet reported that First bus had engaged consultants to review this service.

 

9. Next Meeting

The date of the next full meeting will be held on Thursday 29th May at 19.00 in the Victoria Halls.

 

 

 

APPENDIX I

HCC Statutory Plans Group

 

There has been a switch-round of responsibilities in the Statutory Plans part of ABC. Sybil Johnson is no longer responsible for the Helensburgh and Lomond Area. That has been transferred to Mark Lodge (Tel. 01546 - 604280 email Mark.Lodge@argyll-bute.gov.uk )

 

Possible programme of Local Plan events following the Pubic Local Inquiry (PLI)

(NOTE : dates are estimates only.)

 

Stage 1      Reporters submit their conclusions. Possible date : June 2008.

Note : that the report may be over a thousand pages.

 

Stage 2      Reporters' conclusions on A&BC website and press advertisement that they are available.

 

Stage 3     A&BC planning officials assess the content and prepare a report, with recommendations, for the A&BC Executive Committee (EC) / A&BC. Possible date to report to EC / A&BC September 2008.

 

Stage 4     A&BC makes decisions and issues to the public its Proposals for Adoption. These will be on deposit (i.e. available to be viewed) for six weeks. Their availability will be advertised in the press.

 

The following need to be checked, but we understand that the following apply.

 

(a)        If A&BC introduce NEW PROPOSALS (i.e. that were not in the Modified Final Draft Local Plan [MFDLP]) then the public can object and there would be a fresh Public Local Iinquiry on those issues.

 

(b)        If A&BC propose to alter the sites of proposals which were at different locations in the MFDLP, then the public can object and there would be a fresh PLI on those issues.

 

Stage 5     When Stage 4 is complete, the new A&BC Local Plan replaces the current (1999) Local Plan as the operative document.

 

Stage 6     Work then starts on preparing for the next Local Development Plan. The target for approving that could be 2012.

Other possible dates – to be confirmed

 

Already carried out : The Open Space Capacity Audit

 

2008 - 9       An Urban Capacity Study (opportunities for development in the town)

                   A Landscape Review. ('Landscape' here refers to countryside)

These would be descriptive preludes to the next Local Development Plan, including an SPP21 review of the green belt.

 

2010            An Issues Report from A&BC. This will explain the main intended features of the next Local Development Plan.

 

2011                   The first Draft Local Development Plan may be issued for consultation.

 

2012                   Possible target date for the next Local Development Plan

 

NOTE : there will be no Structure Plan for rural authorities, but there will be a Strategic Plan for the Glasgow City Region of which we are, in many respects, a part. It remains to be seen if Community Councils of quasi-suburb settlements outside the City Region boundaries (e.g. Helensburgh) will be consulted on the City Region Strategic Plans.

 

APPENDIX II

PLANNING GROUP REPORT

 

1. Grandstand at Helensburgh Cricket and Rugby Football Ground. Letter written in support of the grandstand but with the hope that its colours could be toned down so that it merges better with the surrounding landscape. Letter written after viewing plans in the library, a site visit and after discussion with a representative of the Greenbelt Group.

 

2. Letter to Dunbritton Housing Association. Thanking DHA for sending information on their award-winning Silverhills Development. (Awards given for architecture and solar panels.)

 

3. Old Hermitage Academy site. Letter sent to Developer and Architect enclosing Dunbritton HA information and also a copy of Herald article regarding Scottish Government code which aims at building Scottishness and local character into designs of houses. Letter also asks for more emphasis on energy efficiency in these days of rising fuel charges.

 

4. Meeting between Developer, Architect and Residents around 16 Millig Street. HCC suggested and chaired this meeting. Developer and Architect offered to reduce the number of flats to 8 and also the number of windows on the north side of the building – both subjects of the Residents objections to the development plans. Residents agreed to consider these and a follow-up meeting will be held.

 

5. 9 East Rossdhu Drive. HCC had objected to this development in support of local residents and also not fitting in with Conservation Areas. Area Committee meeting decided discussion and decision should be deferred to a PAN 41 Hearing. Date set for 6 May.

 

6. Woodland at top of Cumberland Ave. TPO revoked at previous Area Committee Meeting. Decision on Local Plan land designation due in June. Decision on Planning Application to build houses on the site deferred until after the Local Plan designation decision. Objection to Planning Application lodged by HCC.

 

7. Launderette on East Clyde Street. Application to build retail outlets on ground floor with apartments above agreed by Area Committee. Development Plan had been modified to allow light into neighbouring apartments. HCC has written letter supporting this development but with concerns over overshadowing of neighbours.

 

8. Farmers Market. Appropriate road closures agreed by Area Committee. Letter of support has been written by HCC. Fresh Planning Application now needed for Farmers’ Markets themselves.

 

9. Request for One or Two Days of Architectural Design Appreciation for Community Council Members. Agreed with Planning Aid for Scotland, but request turned down by ABC. ABC will provide training in Planning Procedures changes at the end of 2008.

 

10. Craigendoran Pier. HCC has sent letter of objection to an outline application to build houses on this site. HCC is in support of surrounding residents who asked for HCC support in their objection to the development of houses on the site. Site also forms part of a project put forward by the Helensburgh Partnership which aims to provide Park and Ride facilities. The project could attract capital funding by ABC. This project would find agreement with surrounding residents.

 

11. 11B West Abercrombie Street. Planning permission sought for extension at rear of the building. Plans examined in the library. Extension will be unseen from the street and is within an enclosed walled area. Appropriate building materials will be used. HCC group decided no action required unless neighbours contact us.

 

12. 4 Ferniegair Avenue (erection of conservatory) and 28 Redclyffe Gardens (2 storey extension) No plans in the library for either of these. HCC to look in library again, but not likely to take action unless neighbours contact us.

 

13. 14 Havelock Street. Non material amendment to previous application (increase in width of proposed extension). Plans examined in the library and previous site visit made. Development is bounded by a high wall. Decision remains that no action to be taken unless there is a plea from other residents.

 

14. Monoblocking of Driveways and Parking Areas. C.M. wishes to raise this with HCC. Studies have shown that monoblocking alters the natural drainage of rainwater and puts a strain on existing drainage systems, sometimes causing flooding. Should the use of porous blocks be made a condition of permission to lay monoblocks?

 

For further information on the above or the work of the Planning Group, contact Catriona Malan or Kathleen Siddle.