HELENSBURGH

More than 300 houses will be built on the site of Helensburgh Golf Club if an application submitted to Argyll and Bute Council is approved.

Taylor Wimpey officially applied for planning permission at the site on East Abercromby Street in the latter part of 2021, and the application has now been validated by Argyll and Bute Council and published on the authority’s website.

As well as 309 residential units the plans also include demolition of the golf club’s existing clubhouse, the building of a new clubhouse and the provision of an enhanced 18-hole golf course.

Feedback can now be given to the authority, with a decision expected from planning officers by Thursday May 19.

A design and access statement by Taylor Wimpey states: ‘There is a recognised need for new housing within the settlement of Helensburgh.

‘During the preparation of the Local Development Plan, the council approached the golf club to discuss the possibility of relocating the golf course to provide additional housing land in a sustainable location.

‘The golf club saw this as an opportunity to improve the existing golf course offer in the area whilst providing land for much-needed housing.

‘This ultimately led to an area of the golf course being allocated for housing in the adopted Argyll and Bute Local Development Plan.’

Members of Helensburgh Community Council have already raised concerns about the impact of increased traffic on East Abercromby Street leading to and from the development’s single access point.

In response Taylor Wimpey have said: ‘Access to the site is currently obtained from East Abercromby Street and the site is bisected roughly north-south by the Old Luss Road footpath and cycleway.

‘The proposed development will be accessed from a new priority junction on East Abercromby Street, opposite Lever Road and in the general location of an existing access track to Helensburgh Golf Course.’

The plans can be viewed on the council’s website at argyll-bute.gov.uk under the reference number 21/01879/PP