This week, after many months of waiting, Helensburgh Community Council heard the outcome of the judicial review into Argyll and Bute Council’s public consultation about its plans to develop a supermarket on Helensburgh’s waterfront. We hoped the court would find that the process, including consulting a mere 83 people, does not meet the standard required of a public consultation. 

Helensburgh Community Council acted in the interests of the wider community.

The judicial review agreed with us on a number of points, in particular that we were entitled to raise the judicial review because the Community Council’s role is to take actions that are in the interests of the wider community.

Judgment finds that Argyll and Bute Council did not have to act fairly.

However, we are disappointed that the review has been dismissed on a technical point of law, where the common law rule of “fairness” did not have to be applied to the Council’s public consultation on its waterfront plans.

We are working with our legal team to consider appealing this judgment.

You have shown the strength of feeling against plans for a supermarket on our much-valued waterfront site. At least 5000 people – those of you who signed our petition -are opposed to the Council’s waterfront plans. We know Argyll and Bute Council has not listened to us.

We still have the whole of the planning process to get our concerns heard. 

The judicial review was an opportunity to stop the supermarket before the planning process begins. While this didn’t succeed, putting a supermarket on the waterfront is not a done deal. We still have the whole of the planning process ahead of us to get our concerns heard. We’ll be in touch to let you know how to have your say.

If there is one thing you do this week, do this.

We have an important opportunity to raise our concerns about plans for a supermarket on the waterfront at the Argyll and Bute Council drop-in event about the long-term vision for Helensburgh and Cardross on Wednesday, 26th November, between 4pm and 7.30pm at the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre. We can’t promise the Council will listen, but these opportunities are rare. We strongly encourage everyone to come along to make your views heard.

Thank you so much for your support.

We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported us by signing the petition, joining the rally and contributing to our fundraiser. We remain steadfast in our belief that Helensburgh deserves a waterfront that enhances our town’s character, supports local businesses, and serves as a vibrant public space.

Our campaign continues!