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Projects / Action Areas

Current Projects :
bullet Shopping, Food & Drink
bullet Office & Workshop Space
bullet New Council Headquarters
bullet New Swimming Pool
bullet Residential Development
bullet A Quality Hotel

Action Areas :

bullet Pier Head
bullet Town Centre & Waterfront
bullet Town Centre East

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential Development

Tight controls on land for housing in Helensburgh reflect the historic desire to protect the town's green belt and combat sprawl.  This is understandable.  However, this has also produced a number of negative effects, including a declining and ageing population as average household size gets smaller and rising house prices restricting the opportunities for younger people to enter the local housing market or move within Helensburgh.

It almost goes without saying that housing development in Helensburgh is an attractive proposition.  However, what the Partnership has been trying to identify is where there are gaps or market failure in terms of housing provision.  Argyll & Bute Council has already commissioned a market study focussed on affordable housing.  The Partnership appointed a consultant to consider other areas of clear market failure in Helensburgh.  The short housing study identified two specific types of residential accomodation limited in supply:

  • middle market homes - these tend to be of particular attraction to younger couples with children and other residents who wish to move from the numerous one and two bedroom flats situated in and near to the town centre to more spacious accommodation.
  • spacious high quality apartments - these tend to be of particular attraction to local residents downsizing from large properties.  They are usually couples where the family has 'fled the nest' but increasingly are single dwellers.  This type of property would also attract potential buyers relocating to Helensburgh from other parts of the country.  The choice ofa suitable location and a high level of specification would be important to this kind of buyer.

The Partnership will take account of these "market failures" when formulating its plans to facilitate the regeneration of Helensburgh.  There is clear economic and social benefit to Helensburgh in having a diversified and modernised housing stock as well as achieving a more balanced and sustainable demographic profile.