THE Ministry of Defence is seeking the public's views on plans for a major new facility at Faslane aimed at providing a centre of excellence for submariners.

A pre-application consultation in Garelochhead on Monday, February 12 will allow people to view and comment on the MoD’s plans.

Helensburgh will soon see a major increase in the area’s Royal Navy population as HM Naval Base Clyde gets ready to become home to the Navy’s entire submarine fleet, seeing the workforce increase to 8,200 by 2020.

The news comes as the company appointed to lead the expansion of the base announced plans to create 1,000 construction jobs in the area.

Sub-contractors and suppliers in the Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Vale of Leven area are being sought.

A 'supplier engagement day' will be held at Helensburgh Parish Church on Friday, February 9 to discuss work opportunities with the local construction sector.

The MoD is preparing to host the consultation to gather the public’s thoughts on the next phase of work.

A Submarine Escape, Rescue, Abandonment and Survivability (SMERAS) training complex, part of the expansion plan, was approved by Argyll and Bute Council last year.

The next phase of the wider expansion of HMNB Clyde proposes creating a five storey building of 13,221 square metres.

The proposed development by the MoD’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) would incorporate meeting, storage, plant and classrooms as well as toilet and shower areas.

The pre application consultation event, at Centre 81 in Garelochhead on Monday, February 12, runs from 3-8pm.

An MoD spokesperson said: “Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) proposed plans for a Submarine Training Facility are part of wider plans to create a centre of excellence for submariners at HMNB Clyde.

“We are currently seeking views on potential plans for the five storey building which would include classrooms, meeting rooms, storage rooms and toilet/shower areas.

“The upgraded facilities would allow for increased numbers of staff to train on the site as part of its planned expansion which will see the workforce increase from 6,800 to 8,200 by 2020.

“The centre of excellence would also include the Submarine Escape, Rescue, Abandonment and Survivability (SMERAS) training complex, which was approved by Argyll and Bute Council in July 2017.”

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposal who cannot make it along to the consultation is asked to get in touch with William Weir, project manager, of Mott MacDonald Limited, by emailing william.weir@mottmac.com between now and March 5.