In this week's Councillor Column, Ellen Morton explans why she thinks a new conservation area in the centre of Helensburgh could be good news for the town's residents and businesses.

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Up to £2 million of funds for work on Helensburgh town centre buildings could become available if local residents and business owners want it to happen.

This is because Helensburgh has an opportunity to access funding from both the council and Scottish Government if an application to HES (Historic Environment Scotland) succeeds.

This is through the CARS (Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme) fund. The council has already delivered these in Campbeltown, Rothesay, Inveraray and Dunoon, and is just about to begin one in Lochgilphead, which has been awarded £969,000 by HES.

READ MORE: Councillors set to pursue bid for new conservation area in Helensburgh

So far the council has successfully bid for more than £5m which has, in turn, brought in a further £8m to these towns in additional investment.

Helensburgh was identified as having a town centre which is distinctive in character, with its grid street pattern, a diverse range of historic buildings and architectural styles, including 20 listed buildings in the town centre, and a significant number of traditional shop fronts.

An application to HES for the funds has been continued until early 2020 to allow for the specified conservation area in the town centre to be identified, which is necessary for the funding to be granted.

The council approved £500,000 in the recent budget to be added to the HES grant if it succeeds.

READ MORE: Helensburgh business chiefs' anger at conservation area plans

All of this depends on the outcome of a consultation with the local community, which began on May 1 and runs until June 12, asking for comments on both the general proposal and on the identified proposed boundaries of the area.

At the moment the draft suggests that the conservation area would cover the town centre, roughly from Clyde to King Street and from Helensburgh Central station to James Street.

I realise that some property owners may be nervous that becoming part of a conservation area might make them subject to stricter planning regulations, or cost them money for more expensive work, but I don’t think that would be the case, and the scheme has certainly worked well in the other towns.

READ MORE: Helensburgh public to be asked for conservation area views

This is a marvellous opportunity to get a serious amount of money to help property owners pay for much needed repairs to traditional tenement buildings in the town, some of which have caused major problems involving road closures in the last couple of years.

Please take time to study the proposals and take part in the consultation.