Green light for £34m mixed-used site build in Bowling

PROPOSALS to create a major industrial and commercial development in Bowling have taken another step forward after planning permission was granted.

The £34 million Glasgow city region deal project will see the former ExxonMobil site transformed into a mixed-use development which will include storage, distribution, industrial, business and office space.

Proposals detail an office and industrial development located in Eastfield, business in Centrefield and storage and distribution in the Westfield areas. The project would also bring improvements to a number of roads connecting the site – including the creation of a new 1.95km relief link road in West Dunbartonshire; 1.32km of road upgrades to the A814; a new junction on the A82 at Dumbuck; and a new under bridge of the Glasgow-Dumbarton railway at the west access to the site.

West Dunbartonshire Council will also undertake flood mitigation works, site drainage works and landscaping as well as introducing green open space including a waterfront pedestrian and cycle path. The council added that, of the 150 acre site, 47 acres will be developed and the remainder used for green network and green infrastructure enhancements.

A heritage area has been identified around Dunglass Castle and a protection zone is included in the application to ensure the listed structure and its setting are not compromised as the site develops and evolves.

When complete, the local authority said that it is expected the project will provide up to 980 full time jobs as well as an additional 670 jobs during the construction stage.

Councillor Jim Finn, chair of the planning committee at West Dunbartonshire Council, said, “This is one of the largest brownfield sites in West Dunbartonshire and along the Clyde Waterfront and these proposals offer real opportunities to transform the area and bring it back into use. Not only will it re-instate public access to the waterfront and create significant economic, environmental, infrastructure, recreational and placemaking benefits to the site and the wider West Dunbartonshire area, it will bring much-needed full time jobs to the area.”

Councillor Diane Docherty, vice chair of the planning committee, added, “I welcome the progression of this development, which will provide a platform for major industrial and commercial development within West Dunbartonshire, while also providing road and infrastructure improvements to relieve pressure and provide an alternative route to the A82.”