DESIGN codes for the much-anticipated Queens Quay development at Clydebank have finally been approved by members of the council’s planning department.

It comes after the design codes, a document that sets rules for the layout of a new development, were released for public consultation in February this year.

Concerns had been previously raised by owners of the site, Clydeside Regeneration Limited (CRL) and the development’s managers, Dawn Developments Ltd, who urged members of West Dunbartonshire Council’s (WDC) planning committee to rethink codes for the masterplan.

A letter written by Paul O’Donnell, director of Dawn Developments, highlighted that these design codes were years late and could delay a core £55million development at the site.

In response to the 2020 consultation, 25 responses were received: four from key agencies and 21 from design professionals, individual developers, individuals, council services, partner organisations and community groups.

Councillors met via Zoom last week to discuss the main points of the representation received from the consultation exercise, details of the proposed street naming strategy and to advise on the next stage of the development.

A design framework, including a masterplan, has been approved for the central 23 hectares of the site, and planning permission in principle has been granted for up to 1,000 new houses, commercial, health and leisure uses, public realm and road infrastructure.

The design codes built upon these approved documents by providing detailed guidance regarding the future development form in particular the housing element.

A finalised version of the design codes, incorporating the Queens Quay energy strategy annexe and street naming strategy annexe, along with the full responses proposed to the points raised in the consultation, will be presented to August planning committee for approval.

A list of proposed street names for future streets in the Queens Quay development will also be presented at that time.