Argyll and Bute Council wants to sell a prime stretch of Helensburgh’s waterfront for a supermarket. This is Common Good land, a space that belongs to the whole town: the pier, the skate park, the pool, the free parking, open ground for events. It’s been ours for well over a century. Sell it and it’s gone for good. The public consultation closes at midday on 10 August.

A few years ago, we asked the town what it wanted on this ground. The needs of young people came up again and again: not enough for them to do, nowhere to go, how we need to put them first. The waterfront is a space for everyone in Helensburgh, but no one has more at stake than the young people who’ll live with this decision the longest.

So as the consultation opens, we have to make sure that young people can speak for themselves and are heard.

Filmmaker Campaigner

Cove Park and Culture Collective are running a free filmmaking course for young people aged 11 and up. 6 days, 1 to 4pm, on 22, 23, 24, 27, 28 and 29 July. Come to all of them or just the days you can make.

You’ll learn real filmmaking skills and use them to tell the waterfront story in your own words. It’s happening now, while the fight over this land is still live.

Book a place

It’s free and open to anyone aged 11+. Book your place here. Any questions, email emma@covepark.org.

If you know a young person who’d miss this land if it were gone, this one’s for them.

Argyll and Bute Council has opened a public consultation on its plan to sell a prime stretch of Helensburgh’s waterfront for a supermarket development. It’s open now and closes at midday on 10 August.

This is the next stage in a fight that’s been running for almost 2 years, and it’s the one that counts. The land in question is Common Good land: held in law for the benefit of the people of Helensburgh. The Council is only its custodian. It belongs to all of us, and it needs our permission to sell it. Once Common Good land is sold, it’s gone for good.

The consultation is your chance to say no. Here’s how we got here, and what you can do about it.

What’s happened so far

In August 2024, the Council gave a developer the go-ahead to build a supermarket on the waterfront, on prime ground next to the leisure centre.

Thousands of us objected. We signed the petition. We formed a human chain around the site in October 2024. We chipped in to fund the campaign. (Thank you. Every bit of it counted.)

The Council pressed on regardless. It refused to meet the Community Council to talk it through, then spent £75,000 of public money in court defending its decision not to consult us at all.

Then the ground shifted. Legal advice threw doubt on whether the Council can sell this land at all. The site sits on Helensburgh Pier, bought with public money in 1838, and we believe it has been Common Good land ever since. There’s no evidence it was ever taken off the Common Good account, and none that it was handed over for any purpose that would change that.

So after spending £75,000 to avoid asking us, the Council is now, finally, asking us.

Why this land matters

It’s been ours, and in use, for well over a century. A pier and harbour. Open space for community events. The skateboard park. Free parking. The swimming pool. The recognised Sea Kayak Trail. The Waverley still ties up there.

A supermarket on that ground takes all of it off the table, permanently, and threatens the local businesses that make the town what it is.

How to respond. It takes 2 minutes.

The consultation asks two things: your view on the proposal, and your postcode. That’s it.

To keep every response clear and consistent, we’re asking everyone to use this exact wording:

I object to the proposed disposal of the Helensburgh Waterfront Common Good land. I do not support any sale or commercial development, including for a supermarket. The site has not lost its Common Good character. This land should remain protected as Common Good property and be retained for the benefit of the people of Helensburgh. I ask the Council to preserve its Common Good status and ensure it continues to be used for public benefit and public use.

Paste it straight into the form here: Helensburgh Waterfront Commercial Site consultation

If you can add a line of your own about what this land means to you and how you use it, even better. That’s the part the Council can’t argue with.

Then tell your neighbours. Tell your family. Tell anyone who’d miss this land if it were gone. Every single response is a voice, and we need as many as we can get.

Six weeks. One form. Our waterfront.

This land is our land. Make your voice heard today.

Thank you,
Helensburgh Community Council

Following an appeal the application for a new pharmacy in Helensburgh will be heard at a new hearing later this month. We want to know your recent experiences of pharmacy services locally so we can represent up to date views. It is a short survey and should only take a few minutes to complete.

Here is the link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XNCT68W

Young Stars Shine at Helensburgh’s Got Talent Competition

Local performers dazzled audiences at the annual talent showcase held at Hermitage Academy

Helensburgh’s brightest young performers took centre stage on June 19th as the town’s popular Got Talent competition returned to Hermitage Academy for an evening of exceptional entertainment.

The annual showcase drew an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 150 community members, including proud parents and friends, who gathered to witness nine outstanding acts featuring songs, dances, and creative drumming performances.

Prize Winners Announced

Three talented performers were recognised for their exceptional displays, with prizes generously donated by Lomond Rotary Club and presented by club President Richard Trail. The prize money was contributed to Hermitage Academy’s PTA for the school’s Music Department.

The competition performances evaluated by a panel of three expert adjudicators who ensured fair and professional judging throughout the evening.

Community Support and Funding

The event’s success was made possible through the dedicated support of several key contributors, with funding provided by Helensburgh Community Council. Pamela Frew, Head of Music at Hermitage Academy, provided essential coordination without which organisers say the event could not have taken place. Elizabeth Lambert also played a crucial role in event organisation while managing the tuck shop on the day.

Members of Lomond Rotary Club demonstrated strong community spirit by attending the event and assisting with various arrangements, including operating the Green Room and providing additional support throughout the evening.

The competition highlighted the wealth of artistic talent among Helensburgh’s young people, showcasing the vibrant cultural scene thriving within the local community. The annual event continues to provide an important platform for emerging performers to display their skills and gain valuable performance experience.

Helensburgh Community Council is calling on the next generation of local talent to step into the spotlight at Helensburgh’s Got Talent, a live competition taking place at Hermitage Academy on Thursday, 19th June 2025 at 6:30pm (doors open at 6:00pm).

Open to pupils from both primary and secondary schools across the Helensburgh and Lomond area, the event promises an evening of music, performance, and entertainment in front of a live audience and a panel of independent local judges.

Young performers wishing to take part must submit a demo or video of their act by Friday 30th May at 5:00pm. Entries can be submitted online via the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxQwYjTz8NKvjQxgODX0ol3wEEaofWpqhckmjRSKOzupo8Bw/viewform

Selected finalists will be invited to perform live at the event, where the judges will award prizes to the top three acts. Every performer will be recognised for their efforts with a certificate of participation.

Tickets are just £3 on the door, and all proceeds will go towards supporting future community initiatives. Refreshments will be available for purchase during the evening.

Whether you’re a budding singer, dancer, comedian, or magician, this is your chance to show Helensburgh what you’ve got. Come for the talent, stay for the celebration.

We need to raise £30,000 to mount a legal challenge against the unwanted supermarket development. Donate now to protect our town’s future.

Our Community’s Fight for the Waterfront

The numbers speak volumes: over 4,000 Helensburgh residents – more than a quarter of our population – have signed the petition opposing Argyll and Bute Council’s decision to build a supermarket on our cherished waterfront. This overwhelming opposition continues a 30-year community stance against supermarket development on this prime coastal site.

Despite this clear public rejection, the Council has proceeded with their plans, conducting key meetings behind closed doors and refusing to engage with community representatives. Their lack of transparency and dismissal of public opinion has left us with no choice but to pursue legal action.

How Your Donation Will Help:

• Fund a judicial review in the Court of Session
• Cover essential legal and professional fees
• Access necessary legal documents

If successful, we’ll work towards a Community Asset Transfer, ensuring the waterfront remains in public hands for everyone’s enjoyment. Any surplus funds will support:

• Community Asset Transfer of the waterfront
• Helensburgh Skatepark Project
• Helensburgh Pier Company Ltd’s restoration efforts

Time is critical. We must raise these funds by November 10th to proceed with the judicial review. Similar successful community campaigns, like the St Fittick’s Park case in Aberdeen, show that legal action can protect our community spaces – but it requires financial support.

🎯 Take Action Now: Every donation, large or small, brings us closer to saving our waterfront.

Together, we can stop this development and create a waterfront that serves our entire community.

What an inspiring sight it was to see around 400 residents of Helensburgh come together on a grey autumn Saturday to stand united for our waterfront. The turnout at this weekend’s rally demonstrated once again how deeply our community cares about the future of this precious space.

The video below captured the powerful image of our community gathering at the proposed supermarket site, showing exactly what’s at stake – a prime location on our beautiful waterfront that deserves better than a supermarket development.

Against the backdrop of the Clyde, local musicians filled the air with song while young people showcased their talents at the skatepark. The atmosphere was one of determination and hope, reflecting the spirit of the 4,000 residents who have already signed the petition opposing the supermarket development.

Helensburgh Community Council extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended. Your presence sends a clear message to Argyll and Bute Council: our community’s voice matters, and we remain steadfast in our opposition to this inappropriate development.

Helensburgh Community Council is excited to announce the official launch of the Vision for Helensburgh website—a new digital space that invites all residents to take part in crafting a Local Place Plan (LPP) for Helensburgh. This initiative marks a vital opportunity for the community to come together and establish a shared vision for our town’s future.

The LPP is a framework that allows communities to communicate directly with local authorities about development priorities. Rather than a top-down approach, the LPP puts residents’ voices front and centre, making it a unique and powerful tool for local empowerment. Through the Vision for Helensburgh website, residents can access comprehensive information about the LPP, from its purpose and potential impact to specific themes that define Helensburgh’s community goals.

On the site, you’ll find key areas dedicated to different aspects of life in Helensburgh. Each section reflects priorities that matter to residents, including enhancing green spaces, supporting local businesses, and creating a sustainable future. The LPP is about much more than basic infrastructure—it’s about fostering a sense of community pride and shaping Helensburgh into a town that serves the needs and aspirations of everyone who lives here.

The Vision for Helensburgh website is designed to encourage users to explore, review, and reflect on each section. Once you’re familiar with the different areas of focus, take the time to participate in a survey. The surveys are tailored to different groups within the community, ensuring that responses reflect a broad and diverse range of perspectives. Whether you’re a long-term resident, new to the area, or a business owner, there’s a survey that fits your experience and perspective.

We encourage all community members to visit Vision for Helensburgh, review the materials, and take the survey that resonates most with you. Your input is essential—these survey responses will directly shape the LPP, ensuring it represents our collective vision for Helensburgh.

By contributing your ideas, you’ll be part of a significant community-led effort to make Helensburgh a town that meets both current needs and future ambitions.

Visit the Vision for Helensburgh at www.visionforhelenburgh.org

Over 4000 people in Helensburgh have signed a petition opposing Argyll and Bute Council’s decision to give the go for a new supermarket development on a beautiful and prime location on Helensburgh’s waterfront. This is an extraordinary response in our town of 15,000 people – with 1 in 4 people calling on Argyll and Bute Council to stop the supermarket. 

Come and join Helensburgh Community Council for a rally to stop the supermarket and save our waterfront, 12 -1, on Saturday 26th October – at the proposed waterfront site.

Our waterfront could be a vibrant community space to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Instead we are to be given a supermarket that is harmful to Helensburgh’s wonderful view over the Clyde, as well as our fragile local businesses. Argyll and Bute Council’s process for selecting the winning supermarket bid has been flawed and secretive. It has disregarded the views of the community and is using weak and out of date evidence. Despite the strong community opposition, Argyll and Bute Council is still not listening to the community.

Bring your friends and neighbours for a rally to stop the supermarket and save our waterfront, 12 -1, on Saturday 26th October – at the proposed waterfront site, next to the skatepark.

• Hear the latest news about the supermarket plans
• Marvel at the BMX and skateboarding display at the skatepark
• Mark your opposition with wildflower bombs and ribbons
• Listen to wonderful local musicians

See you at midday on Saturday 26th October to stop the supermarket and save our waterfront.

Find out more about the campaign here.