Hundreds of objections have been submitted to proposed use of former oil facilities in Bowling and Old Kilpatrick.

Proposals for marine industrial and commercial use on the former Exxon and Carless oil sites got more than 200 responses each under the local development plan 2 (LDP2).

The majority of the objections to the Exxon project, which is earmarked to be West Dunbartonshire Council’s City Deal project, surrounded the land being used for a new road against the landowner’s will. There were also concerns about allocations on the site, nature conservation, infrastructure, road safety and flooding, water and drainage.

There was one letter of support.

Silverton and Overtoun Community Council supported the idea but would like more emphasis on tourism and leisure and improved cycling and pedestrian access.

Another 15 opponents raised concerns about the use of land at Carless, planned to be a major marine technology centre for Marin Group, bringing nearly 1,000 new jobs.

Several wanted the site, which needs to be cleaned up of chemicals, to be left undeveloped as a nature area.

The purchase of the Exxon land has not been finalised and, despite years of effort on negotiations, the council may yet walk away if the price is too high.

Council bosses stated in their report to the planning committee: “The council considers this site to be of strategic importance to the regeneration aims of the council and for future business and industrial use within West Dunbartonshire.”

There were also 56 objecting to the use of The Glebe in Old Kilpatrick and the loss of open space.

The planning committee will debate the LDP responses on Wednesday.