THE house builder behind plans for up to 300 new homes at Helensburgh Golf Club says making the development “net zero” is neither technically nor financially viable.
Graeme Oswald from Taylor Wimpey West Scotland made the admission during a briefing for members of Helensburgh Community Council and the wider public on the proposals.
Taylor Wimpey is currently carrying out community consultation on its draft proposals ahead of making a formal application, most likely later this year, to Argyll and Bute Council.
Responding to a question from Cardross resident Henry Boswell – who, at the time of the meeting, was the Liberal Democrat candidate in Helensburgh and Lomond South at last week’s local authority by-election – Mr Oswald, design and planning manager with Taylor Wimpey West Scotland, said: “I agree there is a climate emergency that needs to be addressed urgently.
READ MORE: House builder apologises 'unreservedly' for new Helensburgh home owners' garden problems
“This development will be in line with new Scottish building regulations, which we have this week been told will be coming forward from the Scottish Government later this year.
“The government already has a deadline of 2024 for outlawing the use of gas boilers in new housing developments.
“But to bring forward net zero specifications, on this development or any other development, at the moment is simply not viable.
“This is already an ambitious development. A lot of developers simply would not go for it because of the challenges it presents, and the financial operation to allow this to come forward is fairly delicately balanced.”
Following concerns raised by members of the public at a previous consultation event earlier this month about the impact of the development on traffic levels on East Abercromby Street, and at the junctions of Abercromby Street and Sinclair Street, Mr Oswald said traffic issues were “still under review”.
READ MORE: Helensburgh roads 'may struggle to cope' with extra traffic from 300 new homes
“We are very much aware of this being a hot topic,” he said.
“We have approached our traffic consultant and asked if there is anything they think requires to be done in order to mitigate any stacking at junctions.
“As soon as we get that feedback we will present it to Argyll and Bute Council to see what their views are.
“We will be doing full due diligence but it ultimately will be the council that decides whether any additional work is required.”
The company previously said it believed the new development could be adequately served by the existing roads network.
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