PLANS for a former Helensburgh ice cream parlour to become a hot food takeaway have been approved by council chiefs.

The former Dino’s radio café at 31 West Clyde Street has lain vacant ever since the ice cream parlour moved to its current premises next door more than a decade ago.

Argyll and Bute Council planning officers have now given planning permission for the old venue to change its use to become a hot food takeaway.

Only one representation – expressing neither support nor objection – was received from the public, expressing concern about a proposed flue having a negative effect on neighbouring properties.

A planning officer said that environmental health officials had been consulted, and conditions would be added to the decision to award planning permission.

A separate application for a hot food takeaway at another former ice cream parlour a few doors along West Clyde Street - Vanilla, at number 26 - was lodged with council officials earlier this month.

On the application for the former Dino's premises, the officer said: “The existing unit is located within the defined Town Centre of Helensburgh and is also within an area for action where the aims are for regeneration and enhancement.

"It is also noted that the unit has been vacant for some time and it would be beneficial to bring the unit back into use.

“The recent town centre audits indicate there is no significant increase in hot food takeaways from 2021 to 2023.

"In 2023, 231 properties were recorded with only eight [being] hot food takeaways – approximately 3.5 per cent. This is a decline since 2021 when there was 4.2 per cent of the units that were hot food takeaways.

“There is not considered to be an oversupply of hot food takeaways that would adversely affect the health and wellbeing of the community of Helensburgh.

“It is located within a core town centre and the use as sui generis – hot food takeaway, would not be out of character and would also be compatible with the surrounding land uses as the majority of ground floor units within the area are a mix of pubs, shops, restaurants and also some takeaways etc.

"The change of use would also maintain the vitality and viability of the town centre.”

The officer added: “There is a response from Environmental Health with a number of recommended conditions. There are a number of conditions that are not relevant to planning which have not been included and are covered by separate licence process.

“There is already a level of noise and disturbance from existing restaurant and takeaway premises in the vicinity which neighbours will be used to. It is not a quiet residential area.

“There is a concern raised from one of the flatted properties regarding the effect on amenity. However, it is considered that the proposal raises no significant issues in terms of privacy or amenity to surrounding properties subject to the recommended conditions.

“Further details are requested relating to the extraction fan and the opening hours have been controlled.”