YOUNGER residents are "giving up" on the town according to early results from a survey.

The public are being asked to have their say for a Helensburgh local place plan and what they want to see developed up to 2038.

It is one of several consultations currently under way but has the potential to shape projects small and large in the area.

About 200 people have taken part in the survey so far, run by Helensburgh Community Council (HCC).

But only 11 of them were in the 18-29 age range and they are appealing for more young perspectives.

At HCC's meeting on November 28, the initial results were presented from the Vision for Helensburgh survey.

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The majority of submissions are over the age of 41, and most of those are women who have filled out the 20-minute survey.

Stewart Steel, who is running the online survey, told the meeting that most people were "satisfied" at an overall level with aspects such as the environment and transport. But within that, residents had their say about improvements.

On housing, Mr Steel said they need younger people because the majority taking part probably own their own home, so would be "satisfied" with the issue.

One bit of feedback is "there's no rental property in Helensburgh", heard the meeting.

And on shopping, there was a desire to help local shops cater to online shopping for those living outwith the area.

He said: "It's Helensburgh's chance to say what they want for development in the future.

"Our 18-29-year-olds don't care about Helensburgh; 31-40 are more satisfied. Everyone else is pretty satisfied.

"I worry about our community when our young people are giving up. We really need more young people [to fill in the survey]."

The results will help the community write the local place plan before it gets further feedback from the public.

The Scottish Government says if backed by enough people, Argyll and Bute Council would need to take it into consideration as they write their next local development plan.

That will determine the shape of the town into 2038.

The survey will also help campaigners work out possible new projects to push for, such as the skate park, community compost or other ideas.

Fellow community councillor Elizabeth Lambert acknowledged this consultation was coming at the same time as they fight the council over the waterfront supermarket plan.

"We would not be choosing to do this at the same time as fighting the supermarket," she said. "The Scottish Government have given us this opportunity - this is our opportunity but we only get this opportunity now."

Vision for Helensburgh is still accepting responses at https://www.visionforhelensburgh.org/.