A GLOBAL pizza brand is a step closer to becoming established in Helensburgh after permission was granted for a change of use at a town centre premises.

Agents acting for Domino's Pizza submitted an application to Argyll and Bute Council for the change of use at 11 West Princes Street, which was most recently home to Rossdhu Refills.

Planning officers have now given the go-ahead, with only one objection received from the public,complaining that the town is already “saturated” with fast food outlets.

A council officer said in a report that over-saturation was not a fear held by the , and that the takeaway would “maintain the vitality” of the town centre.

A planning 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 to retain a lively street frontage within the town centre and designated core shopping area.

“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 takeways 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 are no adverse impacts on the conservation area given the only external works aside from repainting and replacement of the front doors are located to the rear and will not be visible from any public locations.

“There are no issues relating to parking as the site is in a core shopping area where there is a zero parking requirement.”

A separate application by agents MSG Scotland for illuminated signage, lodged at the same time as the change of use application, is still awaiting a decision from the council planners.