PLANS to convert a former care home in Helensburgh into 15 flats – and to build two new dwelling houses on the site - have been approved.

Council planners gave the go-ahead on Thursday for conversion work at the former Balvaird and Mardon care home in West Abercromby Street.

An earlier version of the plan drew strong criticism from Helensburgh Community Council who feared the design of the development would detract from the elegance and stature of the two villas on the site, which sits prominently in Helensburgh Conservation area.

However, community councillor Nigel Millar told told the Advertiser this week: "The plans for a new three storey building between the two villas was changed to a more acceptable, modern design and we now have no objection."

There were a small number of additional objections to the plan from other parties.

The application, from Patrick Lafferty, included a new three-floor building to replace part of a single-storey extension which currently links Balvaird and Mardon, and the conversion of the two villas themselves into residential properties.

The linked properties once provided 35 care home beds in the town, but the facility closed in 2013, a year after Orchard Care Homes took it over from the troubled Southern Cross care provider.

The property was offered for sale by auction in April 2015.