A HELENSBURGH resident has won planning permission for alterations and an extension to her home in the upper part of the town, following a lengthy planning process.

Gail Crawford’s proposal for her house at 4 West Lennox Drive attracted 28 objections from the public before it first went to a public hearing on Wednesday, February 7.

However, that hearing had to be adjourned at an early stage as Oban North and Lorn Independent Councillor Kieron Green, the chair of Argyll and Bute Council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee, had personal commitments in the later part of the day.

The hearing reconvened at Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre on Tuesday, March 19, and six councillors attending in person or virtually voted unanimously to approve the application.

Councillor Graham Hardie (Liberal Democrat, Helensburgh Central) said: “It is a matter of personal opinion whether you like or dislike the design.

“I have been on the planning committee for a long time, and you trust your planners with due diligence, and I am quite happy to approve the application.”

Councillor Jan Brown (SNP, Mid Argyll) said: “I went on a site visit and walked all around the house. To me, there are no two houses the same in age, style or appearance.

“For me, there are so many different types, and so many different extensions, that to say it does not fit in is wrong.”

Councillor Green said: “The two issues presented to us today are a nearby tree and the design aspect. You have a tree preservation order and a conservation area, but the two are not the same.

“You have to appreciate there are changing needs for people and accept there will be updates and renovations to meet modern demands.

“Last year I had the fantastic experience of going around Argyll and Bute, seeing the design awards, and making it sustainable. You also saw where people had an older building and added new aspects to it.

“I do not find the design objectionable. Bearing in mind that the alternatives, if you had the choice, were imitating what you have there at the moment, or something that is clearly separate but complements it, I would go with the approach here.”

Cllr Green's motion that the application be granted, subject to conditions, was unanimously agreed.

Ms Crawford's representatives have been contacted for comment.