HELENSBURGH’S waterfront leisure centre is set to become a reality after planning permission was granted by councillors at the third time of asking.

After a lengthy process which has seen the debate on the application continued twice, members of Argyll and Bute Council’s planning, protective services and licensing (PPSL) committee backed the plans by six votes to two.

That was despite 11th-hour submissions by Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) and Helensburgh and Lomond Chamber of Commerce on the risk of flooding at the site.

These were compiled by HCC after consultation with Professor Tom Bruce of Edinburgh University, an author of the Eurotop manual on wave overtopping.

Dr Peter Brown, HCC’s vice-convener, said after the decision: “The positive thing is that the council has voted for a leisure centre at Helensburgh seafront, which is what has been wanted all along.

“But in all these discussions about flooding, concerns about how the building will be used have been completely missed.

“The decision has been made and we look forward to working with the council on how we can influence what’s in the building.

“We would encourage members of the community to talk to their councillors.”

Vivien Dance, who represented the Chamber at the meeting, said: “I am sure there will be many people quite content with the decision. It is an example of democracy in action.

“But it is surprising, after all the reservations that were discussed by members, that the outcome was what it was.

“I thought the excellent paper tabled by HCC would encourage members to take time to consider this further.

“Now we must engage with traffic representatives and the roads department to ensure that the traffic management system is not detrimental to business.”

HCC’s submission stated that the definition of wave overtopping volume submitted by Dr Brown was correct, despite being deemed “misleading and incorrect” by the council.

It also said that wave length had not been suitably calculated for locating the building 6.25 metres from the sea wall.

It concluded by saying: “We offer Professor Bruce’s suggestion that an independent review of the building’s vulnerability would answer this uncertainty once and for all.”

Meanwhile, the Chamber’s submission stated: “Members of the business community conclude that they agree with the areas of concern highlighted by the community council.”

A 10-minute adjournment was granted early in the meeting to allow members to read the latest submissions.

And Councillor Richard Trail started the debate by saying that the situation was “very unsatisfactory”.

He said: “We are not experts – we cannot make judgements on who is right and who is wrong. That is not our role.

“To be at this stage, dealing with submissions challenging what our flooding consultants have said, leaves us in a hideous position.”

Angus Gilmour, the council’s head of planning and regulatory services, said: “We need somebody to arbitrate – that is why we have the council flooding adviser. Otherwise we will go round in circles.

"The council flooding adviser has offered robust, independent advice and that is who we have to rely on.”

Councillor George Freeman put forward an amendment to continue the process further, citing “serious concerns”, but was backed only by Helensburgh councillor Lorna Douglas.

Committee chairman Councillor David Kinniburgh's motion to back the plans was seconded by Islay councillor Alastair Redman.