PLANS for the lease of Helensburgh Pier to a community-based charity will be considered by councillors next week.

The Helensburgh Pier Company (HPC) has expressed an interest in operating the pier, which has been closed to marine traffic since 2018, and have sought a 25-year lease with an option to extend to 50.

A report has revealed that a lease would set out the range of permitted uses on the pier, which would include “the mooring of visiting marine traffic both private and commercial”.

But while heads of terms have been agreed between the HPC and council, it is stated that work to make the timber pier accessible to vessels such as PS Waverley must be complete within five years. The council would reserve the right to terminate the lease if those are not complete.

Councillor Maurice Corry (Conservative, Lomond North) is listed as a volunteer adviser, and one of eight group members of HPC, in an accompanying document.

Councillors are recommended to consider and note HPC’s work at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee on Tuesday, December 10.

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Executive director Douglas Hendry said: “The HPC is a successor to various local community groups who since 2015, have been exploring ideas and the stakeholder consultation steps required to bring the pier into full use for the benefit of Helensburgh’s waterfront and the wider community. HPC is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status.

“The group have considered various development phasing options and have determined that the priority is to repair the timber pier to a condition where the closure notice can be lifted and it is able to accommodate visits by commercial vessels of up to or greater than 700 GRT, such as PS Waverley and Hebridean Princess.

“The agreed terms provide that the tenant shall procure funding for and carry out these repair works as phase A, within five years. The council will have the option to terminate the lease after five years if these works have not been completed.

“The heads of terms further provide that within 10 years, the tenant shall be responsible for procuring funding for and carrying out works as phase B to attach a pontoon to the inner timber pier, accessible to disabled users and the introduction of single point swinging yacht moorings within the vicinity of the pier but away from expected traffic routes.

“Phase C works involve the reconstruction of the former Victorian ticket office and waiting room. In the event that the tenant has completed the phase A and phase B works and can demonstrate that they have secured the necessary funding for phase C within the first 10 years of the lease, they will have the option to extend the term from 25 to 50 years.

“Phase D will require that within 15 years, the tenant shall be responsible for procuring funding and carrying out works to attach a galvanised steel access platform to the West face of the timber pier and in line with the existing top surface leading to an access gangway and pontoon, allowing vessels with a deeper draft to berth in any tidal state.

“Electric power outlets will be provided to the pontoon, but not a water supply or other facilities such as waste disposal to encourage day visits.”

Mr Hendry added: “The lease will also set out the range of permitted uses on the pier. The structure and any pontoons attached to it are to be used only for pier related activities, to include the mooring of visiting marine traffic both private and commercial, commercial sea excursions and powerboat training, inflatable dinghy landing from moored yachts, kayak boarding, swimming and gala events, tendering from passenger cruise vessels and a berthing and landing facility for RNLI, MOD Police and coastguard inflatables.

“The use of buildings erected on the property for purposes ancillary to pier activities will also be permitted. Such uses may include ticket office, café, exhibition space, maritime office, tourist office or training centre albeit in practical terms, available space will likely limit development options to buildings of kiosk size.

“In addition to the lease transferring the repairs and maintenance obligations from the council to HPC, it requires them to insure it to exclude council liability for any damage.”