A NEW 60-bed hotel will no longer form part of major development plans for the east end of Helensburgh.

Iceni Projects, the applicants behind the Iona Stables proposals for the site adjacent to the Waitrose supermarket on Cardross Road, held a public consultation event at the Commodore Hotel on Thursday at which the updated plans were revealed.

A proposal of application notice (PAN) had been submitted to Argyll and Bute Council in December, with the original outlines suggesting a hotel, pub/restaurant and office space for the area.

READ MORE: Helensburgh hotel and office development 'could create hundreds of jobs'

However, the hotel is absent from the latest drawings, which concentrate primarily on the creation of a "business park" on just 2.18 hectares of the land.

Information presented during the consultation event states: "Demand has been identified for modern, sustainable office space, of which there is an extremely restricted supply in the local area.

"This gateway site at the eastern entrance to Helensburgh is an ideal business park location with its road access, local amenities and public transport links.

"It is anticipated that demand would be identified for a family pub/restaurant development to service the business park occupiers and the growing population in this part of the town.

"At this stage it has been decided to only bring forward part of the site for redevelopment."

Rhu-based consultant Malcolm Pearson, who is representing Iceni Projects, previously told the Advertiser there was "very strong support" for all three aspects of the initial proposal, which it was hoped would create "several hundred jobs".

READ MORE: Detailed plans unveiled for 143 new homes at east end of Helensburgh

The Iona Stables site is located directly across from the planned Sawmill Field development - also involving Iceni Projects - which should see up to 143 new homes built.

A formal planning application for the Iona Stables proposals is expected to be submitted later this year, with the first phase of development anticipated to be complete by the end of 2021.

More in next week's Advertiser.

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