Helensburgh petition opposing waterfront supermarket grows

The numbers dwarf the 83 consulted by the council before the secret bidding process started and awarded seafront property to Forrest Group last month.

More than 2,200 people signed the petition to Argyll and Bute Council with a town population of 15,000.

But council officials said the private sector investment on the site would help protect essential services in the area.

Peter Brown, convener of Helensburgh Community Council, which set up the petition, said: "The strength of community opposition to a supermarket on the waterfront is palpable. Thank you to the 2,200 people who have supported our petition so far.

"Argyll and Bute Council and its councillors need to listen to the community and urgently review their decision to sell the waterfront to a developer to build a supermarket.

Residents voiced their opposition at a packed Helensburgh Community Council meeting last week (Image: Newsquest)

"Until then, we urge everyone to continue to sign and share the petition to stop a supermarket on our beautiful waterfront."

Council officials said the survey of 83 people in June 2023 showed there was no consensus for what the public wanted.

But one of the 83 attended a packed Helensburgh Community Council last week and said there was no agreement because the options didn't include an option they wanted.

Argyll and Bute Council were asked about the petition when it launched. A week later, the local authority repeated there were mixed views about the area and the supermarket was good for business and residents.

A council spokesperson said: "Reaching this stage and selecting a preferred bidder for the final phase of Helensburgh’s waterfront is an important step forward for the town.

"While other towns may be struggling to attract investment, the mixed-use approach of the waterfront development has secured public investment and now the interest of the private sector that makes possible the transformation of the waterfront area as a key resource for day-to-day life and the longer term future of Helensburgh.

"With investment projects of this scale, we recognise that views can differ on what is best, so opportunities for public involvement have been available to local communities at different points in the process and considerations that have led to this point.

"The potential sale of the site for supermarket and commercial development brings vital investment to Helensburgh, that will help fund the popular leisure facilities already on the waterfront, and so reduce budget risk to other vital council services that people and businesses in the town rely upon every day.

"Supporting retail and commercial activity within the town centre benefits other shops and businesses and is a key priority of both local and national policy."