Vision for Helensburgh:
Our Living Environment
The places we call home are at the heart of our community. In this "Live" section of the "Vision for Helensburgh" initiative, we explore how our town can evolve to meet your needs as a place to live.
The Local Place Plan gives us a powerful opportunity to shape Helensburgh's living environment, influencing housing, shopping, essential services, roads and pavements, and overall quality of life for all residents.
Whether you're a long-time resident, a newcomer, or someone considering moving here, your vision can help create a living environment that serves everyone in our community.
What’s the current situation?
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Housing Mix
Helensburgh's housing ranges from historic villas to modern developments, but gaps may exist. Affordability is often challenging, especially for young families and first-time buyers. We could explore ways to encourage high-quality, affordable, and sustainable housing in suitable locations, offering diverse options across tenures.
Consideration might be given to energy-efficient, net-zero homes to address fuel and child poverty, and a mix of housing types for various life stages and family sizes.
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Health, Well-being, and Learning
Helensburgh's health and well-being facilities play a crucial role in our community's quality of life. From local medical practices and wellness centre to care services and learning opportunities, these resources shape our daily experiences.
As we plan for Helensburgh's future, it's essential to evaluate our current health and well-being provisions. Are they meeting our needs? What improvements could enhance our community's overall health and vitality? Your insights will help us create a healthier, more supportive Helensburgh for all.
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Shopping
Helensburgh's vibrant array of independent shops and cafes adds character to our town and contributes to our daily lives. These local businesses are more than just places to shop or dine; they're part of our community's fabric.
Does Helensburgh have the right mix of independent stores and well known high street brands?
As we envision Helensburgh's future, we need to consider if our retail offerings meet all our needs. Are our shops diverse enough? Can everyone easily access them? Your thoughts on our local retail scene will help shape a more inclusive and thriving Helensburgh.
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Roads, Pavements, Drains, Lighting, Signage
The backbone of our daily lives in Helensburgh often goes unnoticed: our roads, pavements, drains, lighting, and signage. This vital infrastructure keeps our town functioning smoothly. But is it meeting our community's evolving needs? Will it withstand the challenges posed by climate change, especially increased rainfall and flooding?
As we look to the future, we must consider how we can enhance these essential elements. Could improvements to our infrastructure better connect our communities to the places and services they need?
Your insights will help shape a more accessible and efficient Helensburgh.
Potential for Helensburgh's Living Future
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Sustainable Housing
Consideration might be given to energy-efficient, net-zero homes to address fuel and child poverty, and a mix of housing types for various life stages and family sizes.
Consideration might also be given to the re-use of areas of the town for domestic accommodation rather than business / retail use. -
Enhanced Community Well-Being
What improvements could enhance our community's overall health and vitality? Your insights will help us create a healthier, more supportive Helensburgh for all.
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Community-Centric Shopping
As we envision Helensburgh's future, we need to consider if our retail offerings meet all our needs.
Are our shops diverse enough? Can everyone easily access them? Your thoughts on our local retail scene will help shape a more inclusive and thriving Helensburgh.
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Regeneration Projects
Do you on or live near a vacant property or derelict land. Areas that could be brought back into use, regeneration of these spaces will help improve the wellbeing and transformation of Helensburgh.
Places that could be used for housing, retail, or other community use. Can you help us identify buildings and areas that could be brought back into use?
Considerations for Your Vision for Helensburgh
As you think about your vision for living in Helensburgh and prepare to answer the questionnaire, consider the following:
What makes you satisfied or dissatisfied with living in Helensburgh?
What types of housing do you think Helensburgh needs more of? Consider affordability, accessibility, and sustainability.
How can we improve safety in Helensburgh? Are there specific areas or issues that need attention?
What improvements to existing residential areas would enhance quality of life for residents?
How can we balance new housing development with preserving Helensburgh's natural environment and historic character?
Your responses to these questions will help shape a vision for living in Helensburgh that reflects the needs and aspirations of our community. Together, we can create a town where everyone has access to suitable, affordable, and high-quality housing.