PLANNING permission has been granted for the next phase of the project to overhaul Dumbarton’s Artizan Centre.
At a recent meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council’s planning committee, the application to undertake shopfront improvements, landscaping and associated infrastructure at the town centre location was approved by members.
During a consultation exercise last year, residents said they were keen to see more open space in the town centre location, as well as improvements to the public realm and property.
A planned new public square will include outdoor seating, as well as a small playpark with a mixture of natural, sensory, and accessible play features and soft landscaping. A new structure inspired by historic shipbuilding structures is also proposed, which will form a centrepiece of the development as a whole.
The public square will include integrated lighting and services and be capable of hosting outdoor market stalls, events, and food and beverage vans. It is hoped that the new public realm will help to bring the space to life, encouraging more people to spend time in the town centre for leisure, increasing the footfall and the amount of time spent in Dumbarton.
The works which are due to start on site in early 2025 are the first phase of delivery of the Artizan Masterplan which provides a long-term vision for how the site can be redeveloped over coming years. The vision comprises residential space, retail spaces, restaurants and cafes, leisure units as well as landscaping, outdoor space and attractive public realm.
Convener of infrastructure, regeneration, and economic development at West Dunbartonshire Council, councillor David McBride, said, “This is a vital new step in the regeneration of Dumbarton town centre and I am delighted that this important step has been taken which help bring this vision to life. I am grateful for the feedback which the public has given and that our teams have focused on the comments made by residents to form these plans. I look forward to seeing this develop over the coming months and breathing new life into Dumbarton town centre.”
