A LACK of demand has been blamed for the decision to scrap plans to build a new hotel at the east end of Helensburgh.
Initial designs for the land next to Iona Stables, adjacent to the Waitrose supermarket on Cardross Road, were revealed in December and originally included a hotel, office space and a pub/restaurant.
However, following a public consultation on the proposals last week, it was revealed that the hotel development is no longer included in the outlines for the site, with applicants Iceni Projects instead focusing on the creation of a business park.
Working on behalf of the applicants, Rhu-based consultant Malcolm Pearson, from Pearson Property Promotions, told the Advertiser that he hopes a formal planning application will be submitted to Argyll and Bute Council "within the next couple of months".
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Mr Pearson said he remains excited about the potential of the development, despite the disappointing setback.
"There is no demand for a 60-bed hotel," he said. "Without the demand there is not much point in promoting it. What we have done is focus on a business park.
"There are no modern offices in Helensburgh, there's a massive shortage of supply, so we have identified demand for office space.
"We propose developing a small business park which, combined with the significant growth in the east end of Helensburgh thanks to housing developments, could bring the equivalent of an extra 1,000 people.
"With that and a business park it makes sense that there will be demand for a family pub and restaurant."
Sketches displayed at the Commodore Hotel on Thursday, February 13 referred to the "gateway site" at the eastern entrance to Helensburgh as "an ideal business park location" with its road access, local amenities and public transport links.
Information boards stated: "The site will be accessed from a new roundabout which will serve both the development site and the proposed housing development to the north [Sawmill Field].
"The site will maintain the existing “green edge” to the A814 (Cardross Road) with existing mature trees retained where possible.
"The proposed larger scale buildings will be set back from the site boundary to reduce their visual impact. These include two pavilion style three storey offices and a two storey public house/restaurant - all with associated parking and set within landscaped grounds."
Mr Pearson previously told the Advertiser there was "very strong support" for all three aspects of the initial proposals, which it was hoped would create "several hundred jobs".
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"We still anticipate that there will be hundreds of jobs created at the business park," he added, "otherwise we wouldn't be doing it.
"The business park could potentially, over many years, provide 100,000sqFt of office space, with the potential of up to 1,000 jobs.
"We've had very positive feedback from the public consultation.
"We would hope that the first phase of development will be 50,000sqFt of office space and a family pub and restaurant. The office accommodation will be for 400 to 500 people to work in.
"Our target is to get the planning through and get on site early next year with a view to the end of 2021 for the first phase to be completed."
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Nigel Millar, member of Helensburgh Community Council (HCC), said the developer must engage with the local community in order for a successful project.
He said: "HCC welcomes the development of the site, provided it does justice to its prominent position at the eastern entry to Helensburgh facing the Cardross Road.
"In Argyll and Bute Council’s Local Development Plan the site is classified as a Key Environmental Feature of the town.
"This means any development there has to do justice to Helensburgh’s enviable status as one of Scotland’s most beautiful small towns.
"HCC would welcome an early invitation from the developer to discuss how to place good building design at the heart of their proposals.
"Everyone knows good design is good for business and that is what everyone entering Helensburgh by train or from the road wants to see."
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