COUNCIL bosses have doubled down on their plans to sell off Helensburgh's empty waterfront site to big retail despite fierce opposition.

Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) wrote to politicians of all levels after their mixed-use plans for the empty waterfront site were rejected by Argyll and Bute Council.

They challenged the repeated failures to listen to past surveys of residents and businesses, as well as a lack of transparency in the completely secret bidding process.

HCC was the only bidder to be open with the public while other potential developers have yet to be named.

The final two options for the site are known only inside the council and will only be revealed when a preferred bidder is named.

The public would then only get a say in small aspects of the look of an eventual retail site.

Any objections by the council itself could be appealed by the developer to the Scottish Government. There is no community right to appeal.

When HCC wrote to the authority's new leader, SNP councillor Jim Lynch, they instead got a reply from Ross McLaughlin, head of commercial services.

His letter was read out at the community council's meeting on May 30 and campaigners said they were concerned they got an officer reply, despite writing to an elected member.

Mr McLaughlin, in his letter, said he had been asked by Cllr Lynch to respond.

He stated that there had been "extensive periods of community engagement" for the last two Local Development Plans as well as the previous Masterplan in 2012.

That plan included the new Helensburgh Leisure Centre, albeit in a different position than it was eventually built.

Mr McLaughlin also used HCC public surveys as proof Argyll and Bute were right. A total of 26 per cent wanted large retail, 26 per cent community facilities, and 41 per cent leisure.

The council said they delivered on the leisure demand with the new leisure centre.

Mr McLaughlin insisted: "The marketing of the waterfront site has been undertaken in a competent and professional manner, with regular updates being provided to the Helensburgh and Lomond area committee."

The council officer also referred back to a retail survey which HCC and business leaders have rejected as deeply flawed.

It backed having a large retailer to save the town from the threat posed by larger stores in Dumbarton, despite concern at the impact on many independent retailers in Helensburgh.

And they insisted the bidding process was ruled by "commercial sensitivity".

"This is to ensure a level playing field for all parties and is important to ensure that no bidder is given a commercial advantage," Mr McLaughlin wrote.

"Throughout this process officers have engaged with HCC as far as possible while respecting that HCC were also an active bidder in the process.

"Once a preferred developer is selected, more information will become available to the community council, and the public in general."

The council officer also doubled down on their statement that the skate park was to return to the waterfron, "unless a suitable alternative site is identified".

This part of the letter was read out hours after the Advertiser reported the council were blaming youths using the skate park for anti-social behaviour, littering and vandalism.

Mr McLaughlan referred to the waterfront skate park as "the temporary facility" in his letter.

He concluded by stating: "The council has and will continue to build on the huge investment already made in the leisure and parking facilities at the waterfront, to deliver the next phase of this important mixed-use development."

HCC convener Peter Brown stated "the tone has not changed" despite a new administration being in power at the council.

Secretary Sarah Davies said: "We had expected to have a response saying, 'can we meet with you and discuss this'. And yet again we have just had the answer without that offer.

"There is still no transparency, no discussion. Any time there is discussion, we have been asked to leave the room.

"We were told we were entitled to feedback, and we still have not had it."

Community councillor Irina Agostinelli, whose business would have a large retailer directly in front of it if the Argyll and Bute plans bear fruit, said: "If any private company is not happy, they can put in a grievance and we should be able to do that too.

"We are treated like a toddler pullling at the leg.

"Community councils have a reason, and if you don't like that, that's fine, but you have to deal with us."

Polly Jones added: "Time is really of the essence. We are probably out of it, but we should keep pushing."

The community council agreed to write again to the council leader and invite him to meet with the group.