HELENSBURGH’S MSP has called for proposals for a new care home to be rejected – and accused Argyll and Bute Council of going against its own policy.

Jackie Baillie has claimed that assumptions are being made that it is a “done deal” that Simply UK’s plans for the facility at the Hermitage Park depot site will get the go-ahead.

The council’s planning, protective services and licensing [PPSL] committee, which is chaired by Helensburgh and Lomond South Councillor David Kinniburgh, will hold a public hearing on the plans on Wednesday, October 16. It will start at 10.30am at the Victoria Halls.

Simply UK’s initial proposals for the 64-bedroom care home were withdrawn after a raft of objections, but an alternative design was later submitted. However, the new plans have also been met with doubts.

READ MORE: Helensburgh care home plans withdrawn - for now

Ms Baillie said in a representation to the council: “The land on which this development is proposed has been sold by the council to the applicant, subject to planning permission.

“There is a clear breach of the council’s own planning policies and the local development plan.

“Assumptions are being made by members of the council that this is somehow a done deal.

“In these circumstances, if the council is minded to pass this application, I believe there are grounds for a referral to Scottish ministers.

“Given the very clear conflict of interest for the council, the departure from the local development plan, and the indication from a statutory consultee, in this case Historic Environment Scotland, that the proposed development would have an adverse impact on an A-listed War Memorial and the surrounding open space in a conservation area, I would respectfully ask members of the planning committee to refuse this application.”

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Bars and a beauty salon are among the elements of the proposed care home, which a council planning officer previously recommended for approval.

It is described in a design and access statement as aiming to “significantly improve the use of this prominent site within the centre of Helensburgh, also bordering Hermitage Park, whilst bringing much needed facilities to the town and community.”

However, Nigel Millar of Helensburgh Community Council said in a representation: “Its overpowering height and dimensions will clash with Prince Albert Terrace. It will loom large over Birch Cottages, is inappropriate for the conservation area and will be seen from many points of Hermitage Park.

“A 64-bed care home enclosed in two blocks, one of four storeys reducing to three, is at odds with the physical and environmental characteristics of the listed War Memorial, Hermitage Park and the surrounding urban landscape.”

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An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said: “This relates to a live and undetermined planning application.

“As part of this process, all third party representations will be reported to the elected members on the PPSL committee and will be considered in their determination of the application.”

Simply UK did not respond to requests for comment.