This week's Councillor Column is written by Lorna Douglas, SNP councillor for Helensburgh Central.

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It was encouraging to meet the team who will be delivering the Helensburgh waterfront development at the Helensburgh and Lomond area committee’s business day last week.

There was a lot of enthusiasm for the project from team members made up of various stakeholders.

It was stressed that community support and consultation has and will always be crucial to the success of the project, with future consultation due in 2018.

The main focus of discussion was on technical matters such as flood defences and building orientation, to combat solar glare and maximise the best use of natural light.

I am really looking forward to seeing this development take shape in what is such a prominent site in the town.

Whether from the water or the land, this building will be visible from all angles and it is so important that we have both a building fit for purpose and one that is aesthetically pleasing to look at now and for future generations.

At the same meeting, a presentation on the Main Issues Report of the Local Development Plan 2 was given to demonstrate the new online tool (go to the council’s website and type in Local Development Plan 2, then under Main Issues Report click ‘online storymap’).

It’s a great tool to help inform people what is going on in the whole of Argyll and Bute and also your local area.

To engage in the consultation process a drop in event will be held at the Victoria Halls on Tuesday, November 21 between 4-6pm.

Development policy officers will be there to discuss the report and answer any concerns or queries you may have.

It was lovely to see so many members of Helensburgh Community Council come to the meeting to discuss waste management and recycling with officers and elected members.

Lots of good ideas and insight were shared and discussion focused around initiatives to help reduce waste further by more informed approaches to recycling.

Waste management is such an important environmental issue and one where improvement could easily be achieved.

Working together, the council, community groups and organisations could raise awareness of good waste management and challenge such things as non-recyclable products which increases waste.

Our area is heading in the right direction but wouldn’t it be great if we were the recycling capital of Argyll and Bute – or, better still, Scotland.