PLANS for a new development of industrial units on the edge of Helensburgh have been re-submitted to Argyll and Bute Council – reviving hopes of tackling a long-standing gap in the area's offer to local businesses.

A proposal for a larger-scale development on Moss Road to the east of the town, next to the Helensburgh-Dumbarton railway line, was unveiled in April 2018 and was initially given planning permission by the authority the following year.

However, a report has revealed that those proposals, for a terrace of 10 industrial units, was found to be too costly.

The new application is for six individual units instead of 10 in a terraced layout.

The plans, by CKM Holdings Ltd, are now available for viewing by the public, with a decision expected from the council by late September.

A supporting statement by planning consultants The Hay Partnership says the new plans are being lodged after "recent discussions with Dennis, Kevan and Mark Mundie regarding their aim of providing a series of industrial nest units at Moss Road".

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The statement explains: “After a re-assessment of the likely investment costs that would be required to fully introduce the terrace of 10 industrial units, it has been decided to meet the initial demand by an alternative format.

“Feedback over the last 6-12 months or so from local companies has indicated a hesitancy, whereby smaller and more affordable nest units are anticipated as being the requirement for the next few years.

“It is believed the investment costs can be reduced to an acceptable level through the introduction of six smaller industrial units and by locating these within the existing yard area where there are currently a number of portacabins, storage containers etc.

“It is appreciated that this latest proposal could be regarded as likely to generate further traffic movements over and above what was deemed acceptable for the 10 units.

“As such the applicant is willing to forego the previous permission and reduce it to a smaller development, in the same location but based upon six individual units i.e. akin to this new proposal.

READ MORE: Plans unveiled to build 10 industrial units on site near Helensburgh (from 2018)

“In this way, once all units are in place and operational, there will be no net increase in the overall traffic movements from that as approved.”

The statement adds: “As has been the case with previous planning applications for this locality, there is a well-known and longstanding shortfall in the provision of industrial units in the Helensburgh, Cardross and Garelochhead areas.

“This shortfall has been recognised by the local council and the land at Moss Road has been incorporated into the local plan for the last five years or so as having potential for new development.

“They [the Mundie family] remain willing to invest in new units, and are keen to press ahead, and this new proposal endeavours to address the shortfall whilst also improving the appearance of an established compound through the introduction of six smaller nest units.

“It is therefore believed that after assessment, Argyll and Bute Council should continue to be supportive of their efforts through the granting of planning permission.”

Background papers on the application can be viewed by searching the local authority's planning portal for the reference number 21/01334/PP.

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