Argyll and Bute Council is undertaking a statutory consultation in accordance with section 104 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 in relation to a proposal affecting common good property.
Before taking any decision to dispose of or change the use of common good property, the Council is required to publish details of the proposal and consult the local community.
This consultation relates to a section of the Helensburgh Waterfront.
The Council has been progressing a multi-million pound redevelopment of the area. Read more information about Helensburgh Waterfront Development
The consultation seeks views on a proposal to dispose of common good property for commercial and leisure development on part of the site. This is explained below.
Description of the Common Good Property
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The site, adjacent to Helensburgh Pier, is shown outlined red on the attached plan and here on Google Maps . Most of the site was acquired by the former Burgh of Helensburgh in 1838 as Common Good land.
- Over time the wider site adjacent to Helensburgh Pier has been extended and used for various purposes other than for Pier / Harbour related activity. This includes leisure, car parking and other various uses over the decades.
- The actual pier and harbour are not currently used as such and have been little used for at least a decade, although there is a proposal to bring the pier back into use. Given the alternative use of the site adjacent to Helensburgh Pier over a considerable period of time, it has lost the character and nature of common good due to the various uses over time which were unconnected to the original use as a pier / harbour.
While the original pier and harbour are not currently in use, there is a community proposal to open the pier again which is being supported by the council. The pier and harbour could function effectively if brought back into use, alongside the development proposed here. The remainder of the wider waterfront development area is utilised for the Helensburgh Leisure Centre, town centre parking and public walkways.
The Proposal
Helensburgh Waterfront is being redeveloped in phases as part of a masterplan that has been shaped by public views and developed over a number of years.
The first phase comprising a new leisure centre, public car park and waterfront walkways / public realm has been delivered alongside the demolition of the old swimming pool.
The next phase is the redevelopment of the site of the former swimming pool and adjacent car parking for commercial use / car parking to complete the agreed masterplan. This area is the subject of this consultation and extends to 1.38 acres (5,600sqm) or thereby.
The proposal from the preferred developer (Forrest Developments Ltd) for this commercial area is for the development of a single storey local supermarket along with 3 small retail units, a skatepark area and additional car parking.
You can find out more about the development in our Q&As . In brief, this development is the final piece of the jigsaw in a mixed-use scheme that will create jobs and encourage more people to shop locally instead of travelling to outlying retail locations.
This is supported by a retail study by independent specialists who confirmed that new retail space in this location could benefit Helensburgh, by reducing the need for people to go outside the area for retail, so keeping expenditure in the town; increasing reasons for others to come and spend in the town, on retail and leisure services; and in a location accessible by those using public transport as well as car users.
The study noted a shortage of both food and non-food floorspace in the town, and concluded that the proposed commercial development would:
- assist in ensuring the town becomes as self-sufficient as possible for retail provision
- reclaim leaked comparison and convenience retail expenditure
- complement the existing retail offer in Helensburgh town centre through increased footfall,
- support the wider range of existing services within the town centre,
- promote a mixed use redevelopment of the waterfront site to increase shared trips for shopping and leisure, anchoring further the waterfront site into the shopping and leisure fabric of the town centre to safeguard its current and future role as an important shopping and service centre,
- provides the required retail floor space in an accessible location well served by public transport to not only promote sustainable development, but also ensure access is available to members of the community who do not own a car.
You can find out more information about the retail study in our Q&As.
No decision has been taken at this stage on the sale of the site and the background above along with the consultation responses will assist the council to decide how to proceed.
Why consultation is being undertaken
Section 104 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 requires the Council to consult the local community before taking any decision to dispose of common good property.
This consultation is intended to inform the Council’s decision‑making.
Who is being consulted
The Council is inviting representations from:
- The relevant Community Council(s)
- Community bodies
- Members of the public
Anyone with an interest in the property or proposal may make representations.
Give your views by responding here
Consultation period
- Consultation opens:
Monday 29th June 2026 . - Consultation closes:
Monday 10th August 2026 at 12 noon.
Availability of information
Further detail of the proposal and background are available on the Council’s website,
A public notice has been displayed locally at;
The Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre
38 East Clyde Street
Helensburgh
G84 7PG
At the site which is the subject of this consultation – Helensburgh Waterfront commercial area, West Clyde Street, Helensburgh.
What happens next
All representations received during the consultation period will be:
- Properly considered by the Council; and
- Taken into account before any decision is made
Further information
If you require further information about this consultation, please contact:
Data Protection Statement
Any personal data provided will be processed in accordance with data protection legislation. Representations may be published as part of the decision‑making process.
This consultation is undertaken in accordance with section 104 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.
