Council approve plans to establish planning guidance for Clydebank Business Park

PLANS to establish Planning Guidance in relation to Clydebank Business Park have been approved.

A report seeking approval of a draft document was agreed by members of West Dunbartonshire Council’s planning committee at a meeting in Clydebank Town Hall last Wednesday.

The report, which came before members last week, stated the background, saying: “The Scottish Government circular on development planning advises that local authorities may issue non-statutory planning guidance.

“This may be used to provide detail on a range of subject areas, and is particularly useful when an issue arises during the lifecycle of a development plan, and there is not the appropriate hook in the plan to allow statutory Supplementary Guidance to be prepared.

“Non-statutory planning guidance does not form part of the development plan, but may be a material consideration in terms of considering a development proposal.”

The report also stated: “Over recent years the Council has received increased interest from non-industrial/business uses to locate within industrial areas.

“The planning committee has recently approved applications for a gymnastics studio and a soft play facility in Clydebank Business Park indicating a move towards a more flexible approach to alternative uses in industrial/business areas.”

In light of the above, planning guidance has been prepared to offer additional guidance on how the council’s local development plan policy should be applied when considering proposals for non-industrial/business uses in Clydebank Business Park.

The report states: “The business park is considered to be the preferred location for piloting a more flexible approach to allowing such uses, primarily owing to its proximity to the town centre and public transport, and because it does not have a significant level of heavy industrial or distribution uses.

“The guidance will assist the Council in determining applications and will also provide greater certainty to potential applicants.”

Clydebank Business Park was built on part of the site of the former Singer Sewing Machine factory, which closed in 1980.

The site was identified as an enterprise zone in 1981.