PLANS to convert Helensburgh's seafront Clock Tower into a coffee shop need more detail, according to the town's community council.

Proposals for the conversion of the property, on the corner of Sinclair Street and East Clyde Street, by the owners of the town's Tower Digital Arts Centre were unveiled last month.

Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) says it supports the conversion idea in principle – but the body has criticised the lack of design information relating to a canopy which forms part of the overall plan.

The plans for the Clock Tower were submitted to Argyll and Bute Council at the end of June. A decision from the authority is expected by late August.

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The Clock Tower has lain vacant since 2016 when Visit Scotland closed the tourist information centre which was based there.

HCC member Nigel Millar, who deals with planning matters for the community council, said: "HCC supports this application.

"The applicant is to be complemented in bringing this prominent, landmark building in Helensburgh town centre back into use. It has lain empty for too long.

“For some years now Helensburgh has wanted a fully functioning tourist information centre. This need is greater now in the post Covid-19 era with more people likely to take more holidays/visits at home, including coach parties.

“As well as a staffed visitor centre, the centre will include a coffee shop and a box office for ticket sales. And, hopefully, the highly visible clocks will be telling residents and visitors alike the time once again.

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“As to the proposed canopy for takeaway coffee purchases HCC does have an objection. From the drawings accompanying this application there is a disturbing lack of detail as to its visual impact and of the materials to be used.

“The Clock Tower is a listed building and is a key environmental feature in the heart of the town.

"The applicant does have a good track record in this regard. His strikingly modern Submarine Museum in West King Street sits well with its ecclesiastic neighbour, the former St Columba Church, now the Tower.

"Hopefully such an approach will be replicated in this instance.

“HCC recommends that a 3D, coloured drawing of the proposed canopy, and how it will sit with Clock Tower and its neighbours, is submitted before a final decision is reached on this application.

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“It is not good enough to simply make a subjective assessment on the information provided. More is needed.”

The plans for the canopy are the subject of a separate application to the main proposals for the Clock Tower and can be found in Argyll and Bute Council’s online planning portal using the code 20/01101/ADV.

A supporting statement by architects Honeyman, Jack and Robertson said of the coffee shop plans: “If the Clock Tower has any prospect of surviving it is essential that it is used in some purposeful way. Bringing the building back into use is a vital first step.”

Tower director Brian Keating was on holiday when contacted, but said he was sure that the architects could provide HCC with more information on the canopy plans if required.

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