PLANS to split Helensburgh and Lomond in two as part of a major redrawing of Scottish Parliament constituency boundaries are to go before a public inquiry.

Boundaries Scotland says it will hold a local inquiry into proposals which would see Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven and Helensburgh in one constituency, alongside the southern part of Clydebank.

Most of the rural communities in Helensburgh and Lomond, outside of Helensburgh itself, would be put into an enlarged Argyll and Bute seat under the plans.

A local inquiry into the proposals – which have already come in for criticism from Dumbarton constituency MSP Jackie Baillie and others – will be held at Clydebank Leisure Centre on Wednesday, December 13.

A separate local inquiry will take place, on the same day and the same venue, into plans to put the northern half of Clydebank into a new seat alongside Bearsden and Milngavie.

The inquiry will be chaired by Sean Murphy KC, Sheriff Principal of North Strathclyde.

Professor Ailsa Henderson, the chair of Boundaries Scotland, said: “Our consultations are strengthened by local people and organisations contributing their views.

“Whether you support or oppose our provisional proposals for the constituencies in your area we very much want to hear from you.

“Responses are particularly helpful when they include specific suggestions for improvements and if they comply with the legislative rules within which we work.

“Local Inquiries are held by us in areas where a local authority has objected to our proposals, where there has been a strong local response or where we feel we want additional information.

“They are an important part of the review process. If we subsequently change our proposals in any area we will consult again in 2024.”

A consultation on the Boundaries Scotland plans was held in May and June.

When the proposals were made public, Ms Baillie said: “The communities of Loch Lomondside and the Rosneath peninsula are intrinsically linked with Helensburgh, Balloch, the Vale of Leven and Dumbarton.

“They share local health services, including the Vale of Leven Hospital, schools and transport links.

"People from these communities work and shop in Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Balloch. The travel to work area relates to Glasgow and not north.

“These factors need to be seriously considered. It is disappointing that the natural connections between these areas has not been recognised within these proposals.”

The Commission says it agreed to hold a local inquiry in Clydebank due to a large numbers of responses opposing the division of Clydebank between two constituencies.

Anyone who wishes to speak at the inquiry is invited to register by emailing boundaries.scot@scottishboundaries.gov.uk or telephoning 0131 244 2001.

Information about the Local Inquiry is being made available in council offices and libraries, and is also available on the Commission’s website at www.boundaries.scot.