However, when reviewing the Local Development Plan the reporters recommended dropping plans for 146 houses at Geilston Farm, Cardross, and changing the allocation of ‘high density’ housing at Rhu Marina to ‘not applicable’ (N/A).

The reporters began examining the council’s planning document in May of this year and their recommendations are now expected to be accepted by the local authority.

Some of the proposals in the LDP have received hundreds of objections from members of the public, however, Councillor David Kinniburgh, the council’s policy lead for planning issues, said the recommendations from the reporters show people’s views are taken into consideration.

He said: “There was a feeling from some members of the public that this was all a done deal but I think the recommendations from the reporters show that they do look at what people say and take on board comments from members of the public.

“The LDP has still to go to the council in January and officers will give reasons for any changes to be made. Any developments are still subject to planning applications. The final plan will be adopted in April or May.” At Rhu Marina, the reporter recommended that the council “amend the ‘density’ in relation to the potential development area at Rhu Marina from ‘High’ to ‘N/A’”.

In reference to the term ‘high density’ the reporter stated: “Retention of that reference is likely to lead to an element of unintended ambiguity and confusion, as it could be interpreted as implying support for a mixed use development within which housing would be the predominant element.

“For that reason I consider that it would be more appropriate for the schedule to indicate that the reference to density in relation to this potential development area is ‘not applicable’.

“This will leave the council free to judge the appropriateness of any housing element which may be proposed in any future planning application.” The other recommendation of note was in relation to housing in Cardross, where more than 300 new homes were proposed.

The Kirkton Farm site will remain in the plan but the Geilston farm site – which was divided into eastern and western fields – seems unlikely to be developed after the reporter said the western site one would be ‘a prominent and obtrusive extension of the built-up area of Cardross’.

The other field is ‘land-locked’, with no access from roads, so the whole the area was deemed inappropriate for housing.

In relation to the development of the water front at Rosneath, the reporter recommended extending the ‘open space protection area’ to cover the adjoining area of open grassed land to the north-west. He also suggested removing that extended area from the adjoining ‘potential development area’ to the south.

For the plan at Blairvadach, Shandon, it was suggested that the site boundary be altered so that an obstacle course used by the nearby outdoor centre is unaffected and the capacity of a new housing area, which it was also suggested be reduced to 48.

Despite many objections to plans for 300 houses at Helensburgh Golf Club, this looks set to be rubber stamped.

It was also recommended that the site in Ardoch be modified in the proposed plan by ‘excluding this site from the green belt’ and including it within the settlement boundary of Ardoch on the proposals map.

Councillors are expected to consider the LDP at a full council meeting in January.