Community centre plan is rejected

PLANS for a new community centre to be attached to Helensburgh"s Victoria Halls were in disarray this week after the scheme was refused and the design branded 'inappropriate.'

The project, consisting of a three-level modern building of timber and metal cladding, did not fit in with the historic category B listed Halls, according to members of Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee at their meeting on Tuesday.

Members voted 6-2 to accept a recommendation from planning officers to refuse the application by Helensburgh Community Centre Trust - although councillors felt that an extension would be suitable, but not of this design. The decision has disappointed the Trust. Nigel Millar, Chairman of Helensburgh Community Council, and also a member of the trust, said that the group will meet tomorrow (Friday) to consider their response.

He said: 'We are very disappointed and don"t agree with the committee"s decision - or the planning official saying that the building is inappropriate.

'We feel it is a fine modern building and in its own way sets off the splendour of the Victoria Halls. Put the two together and you have a fine complex.'

Mr Millar said he felt that comments about the views of the area from Sinclair Street, including a car park, being unattractive were 'unjustified'. He added: 'If the councillors looked again, I think their fears are groundless.'

Councillor Al Reay felt that the application could be continued to allow the applicants to make modifications and look at the car parking area but on a vote he was defeated.

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