WORK to turn a prominent Helensburgh building into a restaurant is set to be completed by the end of the year, a report has revealed.

However, pavement access around the site at 52 Sinclair Street, the town’s former municipal buildings, could be restricted while the works are finished.

The building, on the street’s junction with East Princes Street, was sold to Peckhams Investments in 2019, paving the way for a restaurant to move into the building.

The report, which is dated Friday, August 7, will go before Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee on Thursday, September 17.

It is listed as being for noting by the committee, meaning that no discussion is expected to take place.

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In the report, executive director Douglas Hendry said: “The council owns a number of commercial and residential properties between the Co-op and the former Municipal Buildings on Sinclair Street.

“The Municipal Buildings was sold to Peckhams Investments Ltd last year and work on conversion into a bar/restaurant is now well underway.

“Estates are working with the residents association for 52 Sinclair Street to agree a programme of common repairs to the roof, stairwell and rainwater goods.

“There is likely to be a requirement to restrict access to the pavement whilst certain works are ongoing.

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“Over the past few months there have been issues with water penetration in the building and it is therefore planned to complete the works before the end of the year.”

The report also provides an update on the former council planning office at Blairvadach, off the A814 in Shandon, which is allocated in the local development plan for 112 residential units.

A number of offers have been received for the site since it was put on the market in the early part of 2019.

Mr Hendry added: “Following assessment of the offers a preferred developer was selected to work with to develop the site.

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“Subsequently a site licence has been agreed in November 2019 to allow the preferred developer to undertake site investigations, topographical surveys, tree surveys and a structural assessment of Blairvadach House.

“It was anticipated that these surveys would be completed in early 2020, however this was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“A report is anticipated from the preferred developer summarising the outcome of their investigations and the proposed next steps.

“Given the impact of Covid-19 on the property market there is increased risk to larger projects of this nature and we will be considering feedback from the developer and update the area committee once the position is made clear.”

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