Dear friend

Today, Argyll and Bute Council has finally opened a public consultation about its plans to sell Common Good land, on a prime waterfront location, in Helensburgh for a supermarket development.

The consultation will be open until midday on 10th August.

Common Good land is special and protected by law for the benefit of the people of Helensburgh. The Council is only a custodian of the land and not the owner – it belongs to all of us. Argyll and Bute Council needs permission from the people of Helensburgh to sell Common Good land. 

Once sold, Common Good land is lost forever.

If you want to safeguard the site for community benefit for future generations and stop the development of a supermarket in this location, you should take part – and encourage your friends, neighbours and family to do the same.

We have only 6 weeks to get our voices heard.

The consultation only asks you to provide your views on the proposal and your postcode.

Helensburgh Community Council recommends you respond with the following precise wording to minimise any confusion:

I object to the proposed disposal of the Helensburgh Waterfront Common Good land. I do not support any sale or commercial development, including for a supermarket. The site has not lost its Common Good character. This land should remain protected as Common Good property and be retained for the benefit of the people of Helensburgh. I ask the Council to preserve its Common Good status and ensure it continues to be used for public benefit and public use. 

Use this link below to paste the text above into your consultation response:
Helensburgh Waterfront Commercial Site - consultation

If you can add a sentence or two about why this land matters to you and how you use it, that would be even better.

Please ask all your friends, family and neighbours to do the same.

We have six weeks to protect our Common Good land at the waterfront and stop a supermarket development on this site. 

This land is our land. Make your voice heard today.

Thank you for your support,

Polly and everyone at Helensburgh Community Council

Photo credit: Robin Smith