Opponents of a supermarket being planned for the Helensburgh waterfront have made public protests around the site.
Helensburgh's waterfront will be sold to Forrest Group for a development to include a supermarket, believed to be the Co-op moving from Sinclair Street.
But the public have expressed their outrage at the decision, and the secrecy leading up to it.
Now a large "NO SUPERMARKET" message has been spelled out on the empty land in front of Helensburgh Leisure Centre.
A handful of councillors have backed the plans so far - the only public support to date.
Campaigners have urged the public to make their views known directly to councillors who rubberstamped the decision by council officers last week.
A Helensburgh Community Council meeting next week will discuss the waterfront plans.
And signs have been stapled to wooden posts around the site including "we did NOT vote for more shops", "health equals wealth equals visitors" and "give trees a chance (and benches)".
"Green space equals healthy space" and "think of the kids and old folk" are other messages from opponents.
The council has stated they aim to move the recently restored and popular skate park, but one sign states: "Olympic skate jumps not shopping dump."
Vivien Dance, a former Helensburgh councillor and a vocal opponent of retail at the site, said: "Congratulations and well done to the individual who voiced what most people want Argyll and Bute Council to hear, public opinion.
"Councillors did not listen when many of us attended the so-called consultation meetings so good luck to those who hope a more direct message may be more successful.
"Sure this will not be the last message that will be writ in big bold letters, the pre-planning stage campaign has just begun."
Earlier this week, Donald Stewart, managing director of Forrest Development Ltd, said: "Forrest Developments Ltd have just been appointed preferred developer so are at a very early stage of a process of due diligence and investigation, and agreement of full terms with Argyll and Bute Council.
"With partners and commercially sensitive information involved, we look forward to sharing our proposals with the community when it’s appropriate to do so."
The council defended the secrecy of several months since waterfront bids were invited last year.
A spokesperson said: “We have followed a thorough assessment process and the preferred developer and proposal were selected based on a variety of competing factors including potential economic benefits, additional indirect benefits, planning and transportation, community feedback, and financial, legal, and deliverability considerations.
"This final stage of development, as part of the wider mixed-use waterfront site, will deliver benefits for both residents and visitors to Helensburgh.
"There have been a number of positive developments in Helensburgh in recent years such as Colquhoun Square, the Civic Centre, Hermitage Park, and the new Waterfront Leisure Centre.
"Many were met with mixed views, but have been generally accepted as positive investments for the town, leading to wider private sector investment which is in contrast to many similar towns across Scotland.
"A formal planning application has not yet been submitted and further detail will come as discussions progress with the preferred developer.”
