The move arrives after the council considered the results of the recent public consultation and after hearing from community representatives on the former proposals.

Helensburgh Waterfront was being developed in phases by the council as part of a masterplan that had been influenced by public views and developed over some years. 

The leisure centre, public car park, sea defences and waterfront walkways are currently in place. 

The proposed final phase involved adding to leisure facilities on the waterfront with a reinstated skatepark and providing commercial development on the site that would fund the community and leisure aspects of the waterfront for the long term. 

The council was required to consult the local community before making any decision to dispose of or alter the use of common good property, which relates to a section of the Waterfront. 

Significant public opposition to the proposed sale and commercial development of the site was shown in consultation responses, with almost 95% of the 3,430 responses opposing it.

At the meeting which took place on 15 October of the Policy and Resources Committee, councillors considered the consultation findings as well as the potential community and economic advantages of the proposed project, alongside Common Good obligations. 

A delegation by Helensburgh Community Council outlining local community opposition was also welcomed. 

The Policy and Resources Committee decided against the commercial development, and to refer the subject to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee to develop financially sustainable alternative options for the disposal of the site, in consultation with the community, and report back to a future meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.

Councillor Jim Lynch, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: “The proposed development could have brought significant long-term economic and community benefits to Helensburgh. 

“However, at the same time there was significant local opposition to the development of the site.”

Lynch added: “We have listened to consultation feedback from local communities and taken the next steps in the future of the Waterfront in a different direction.”