PLANS to form two balconies on a Helensburgh seafront building have been withdrawn after almost a dozen neighbours objected to the idea.

“Legal reasons” have been cited for the decision to withdraw the applications for Flats 27 and 28 at Tower Place in East Clyde Street.

Applicants May Clugston and Roy Simpson had asked Argyll and Bute Council for permission to form external balconies on the neighbouring second-floor flats.

But 11 residents, along with the managing agents for the development, complained that the proposals would breach the Tower Place title deeds.

Colin Johnstone, from managing agents Ross Liddell, pointed out in the company’s objection: “The title deeds clearly state that no alteration or addition shall be made on or to the buildings.”

Ross Liddell’s objection also claimed that the balconies could create a light and noise nuisance, and expressed concern that storm conditions could affect both the proposed balconies and the fabric of the property as a whole.

Among the objectors, Ellen Renton, who lives at Flat 3 in Tower Place, told the council: “The building of this balcony would be of great detriment to the appearance of Tower Place, and in this respect it would also set a worrying precedent.

“The cohesiveness of the complex would be completely destroyed if individual properties were allowed to place external fixtures wherever they wanted.

“Also, I think it would be dangerous. I am thinking in particular of Storm Frank, which not very long ago lashed the aspect of the building facing the sea.

“It would only take one thing to be left outside on a balcony to cause a very serious accident in stormy weather.”

And Peter Dicken, a joint owner of one of the neighbouring Tower Place flats, told the council: “The proposed development would have a detrimental visual impact on the elevation of the building facing the Clyde.

“The proposed balcony does not appear to have any provisions for surface water drainage and would likely cause problems of water ingress into the flats below.”

The applicants’ agent, Raymond Mathers, told council case officer Karen Malloy: “My client has instructed me to withdraw [the] applications. Legal reasons make it impossible for my client to continue with [the] planning request.”