PLANS to make at least part of Helensburgh’s town centre a conservation area have been defended by Argyll and Bute Council – despite concerns aired by local business leaders.

Members of the Helensburgh and Lomond Chamber of Commerce expressed concern at the local authority’s bid for £1.5 million from the Scottish Government’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), saying the impact of the move would be entirely negative.

But the authority has insisted that similar CARS projects in Inveraray, Rothesay and Campbeltown had led to many positive changes in those areas.

In a statement on their Facebook page, a Chamber spokesperson said: “Members were very agitated by the news that plans are afoot for the council to make the town centre a conservation area, and those involved with planning in the town expressed their concerns at the impact of this on local businesses, none of which would be positive.

“Since the meeting the board has discovered that the council has already made an application to Historic Environment Scotland for funding for a conservation area.

“This explains why in the recent budget the council had set aside £300,000 for Helensburgh to make this happen. Most concerning.”

However, Argyll and Bute Council said that making the town centre a conservation area would be a huge positive for the town, citing other examples in the area.

A spokesperson said: “We have made an application to Historic Environment Scotland (HES) for £1.5 million for Helensburgh under their Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) funding, and a decision is expected next month.

“As part of the 2019/20 budget, the council approved £300,000 for match funding, which will be required should the HES application be successful.

“In order to be eligible for CARS funding, Helensburgh town centre would require a conservation area to be in place – but not over the entire town centre.

“The council intends to launch a consultation on proposals for a new Helensburgh conservation area in the coming months.

“External funding of £1.5m would be a tremendous boost for Helensburgh town centre and the implementation of a conservation area in the town could open further funding opportunities.

“CARS projects in Inveraray, Rothesay and Campbeltown have brought many positive outcomes for those towns, bringing unused and historic buildings back into use and improving many others.”

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce also says it’s still pressing – so far without success – for a seat at the table of the council’s review of parking in the town once the £19.5 million redevelopment of the waterfront gets under way.

In their Facebook statement the Chamber added: “The Chamber is still pressing for a seat at the table on the council’s parking review for the seafront but, in spite of their commitment for this to happen, the seat is proving elusive.

“Everyone shared their concerns about the impact on business when construction work begins on the seafront carpark so the board will continue to press the council to be involved.

“Fergus Murray, head of economic development at Argyll and Bute Council, had accepted the Chamber’s invitation to attend a Chamber meeting and this would be arranged in May once we have the final town audit report, and we can talk on facts and evidence as to what support we need to ensure the future prosperity of local business.”