TWO major planning applications which could see up to three hundred homes built in the Helensburgh area have been approved in principle.

Cala Homes wants to build approximately 145 properties to the east of Hermitage Academy on a 5.8-hectare site, known as Sawmill Field, owned by an unnamed local councillor.

Avant Homes was seeking permission for a development of around 140 residential units, with two, three and four bedrooms, on a site next to Kirkton farm in Cardross, north of the village's primary school.

Both sites are allocated for housing in the Argyll and Bute Local Development Plan, and had been recommended for approval by planning officials prior to a meeting of the council's planning, protective services and licensing committee on Wednesday.

The exact detail of both proposed developments has yet to be confirmed.

More on this story to follow in the next issue of the Helensburgh Advertiser - on sale from Thursday, August 25.