PLANNERS and councillors have insisted Dumbarton’s “dreadful” Artizan Centre isn’t worthy of conservation, despite a new designation for the area.

Proposals for a new Dumbarton town centre conservation area include the decades old shopping district.

But councillors were concerned they would be a “laughing stock” if that were to include the building.

Planning bosses insisted protections were merely for the area and was not a reflection on the architectural value of the Artizan Centre.

A presentation to the committee said the Artizan "respects the scale and setting of the High Street and crucially preserves the line of the former College Street".

Being in a conservation area wouldn't prevent making changes to the Artizan.

Councillor Karen Conaghan said the new designation for the town centre could allow individuals and businesses to tap into new funding for upgrades and regeneration.

Bailie Denis Agnew said: “We have to be careful including such a dreadful structure as the Artizan.

“There are only two or three active shops in it. I think we should be quite clear it’s the footprint of the area and not the structure of the Artizan Centre.

“I think we have to articulate that or we are a laughing stock. The Artizan Centre is not an attractive area.”

There are currently five conservation areas in West Dunbartonshire, with Knoxland Square and Kirktonhill designated back in 1984.

The potential for protecting the centre of Dumbarton was raised in 2014 and since then there has been investment in new council offices in Church Street and the renovated Municipal Buildings.

Conservation area status puts the demolition of buildings, removal of trees, small house extensions and external alterations of properties under the control of planning officers.

There will now be a six-week public consultation, then a second report to the committee, and then it will be submitted to the Scottish Government for designation.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Conaghan said: “Unfortunately we are stuck with the Artizan as it is. That’s not a criticism of the owners. People don’t shop as much in High Streets - they are struggling everywhere.

“There’s a lot more to the conservation area and we hope it will improve the character of the area.”