A SENIOR community figure is calling for Argyll and Bute Council to have Helensburgh decisions made by Helensburgh councillors.

Stewart Noble, who is treasurer of Helensburgh and Lomond Community Council, has asked for reform of the Council’s Planning, Protective Services and Licensing (PPSL) committee.

Currently one third of the committee, which makes major planning decisions, is made up of councillors from the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

Mr Noble made the call with some big decisions on the horizon around Helensburgh, including the waterfront proposals, and housing developments on Helensburgh golf course and east of Hermitage Academy.

Mr Noble said: “The principal reason for my belief is that the composition of the PPSL committee is totally contrary to Scottish Government policy, which is to give communities a greater say in the decisions which affect them.

“Many decisions which affect the local area are taken by the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee.

“However, major planning applications or planning applications which have attracted more than 10 objections are considered by the PPSL committee, which may decide on a public hearing.

“Argyll and Bute Council has a total of 37 councillors of whom 15 serve on the PPSL committee. Of these 15, only four represent Helensburgh itself.

“Another one represents a constituency within the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

“Others come from as far away as Islay, Bute, Campbeltown and Tobermory.

“Consequently important planning decisions are being taken by a committee the vast majority of whose members come from outside the local area, however defined.”

Mr Noble stated the opinion that the make-up of the committee goes against the spirit of the Planning (Scotland) Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament.

The Bill is said to give people a greater say in the future of their places, as well as improving the system of development planning.

Mr Noble added: “In the next few years there are several major developments taking place in Helensburgh and we as a community need to ensure that the decisions about these developments are taken correctly.

“Not only should planning decisions be taken correctly, they should also be seen to be taken correctly.

“This is certainly not the case in terms of community involvement in planning decisions taken by Argyll and Bute Councillors.”

An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said: “The Helensburgh and Lomond area already has the largest representation of the four areas and there are no plans to reform the PPSL committee.”