Published: Tuesday, 14th October, 2008 10:45
New retail row could affect high street
By Mike Farrell
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The future of the High Street could be at risk
Pic by: Stewart Robertson
AN outcry over controversial plans for a multi-million-pound shopping and leisure development in Dumbarton has resulted in the proposals being stalled.
This is the second attempt to expand St James’ retail park, with the first ending up in a bitter row which was decided in the Court of Session.
Town centre businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and the owner of the Artizan Centre, Jermon, are all of the opinion that the expansion of this out-of-town site would be disastrous for the High Street.
There are two other retail regeneration projects on the table — the extension of the Artizan Centre, as well as the development of the Allied Distillers site in Castle Street — and the trio agree these are more viable options.
Robert Ryan, chairman of Business for Dumbarton, told the Reporter: “The [St James’] plans as they stand will lead to the degeneration, not regeneration, of the town."
Jermon bought the Artizan Centre for more than £17m in 2006, and planned to work closely with West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) to boost the town centre.
But, John Corcoran, of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, believes this relationship may have broken down over the St James’ row — it was Jermon that took the case to court the first time around.
He said: “The council should be talking with Jermon about this, to revitalise the town centre — that is a critical point. This is bound to have a bad effect on the town centre.”
Due to the objections, a decision on the application has been put off until next month by WDC’s Planning Committee.
A Jermon spokesman said: “Our position is largely unchanged, our firm belief is that the expansion proposal at St James’ retail park will fundamentally undermine the efforts to regenerate the town centre.”
WDC planning officers have recommended to the committee that the St James’ plan is approved.
A WDC spokesman said: “The development would give local people more shops locally and less need to travel further to shop.
“Dumbarton needs investment to regenerate — many small towns in Scotland have no developer interest but we are fortunate that we have three major developers wanting to develop in the town."
The next Planning Committee is scheduled for November 4 at 10am in WDC headquarters in Garshake Road.
Further representations, including objections, can be made up until Tuesday October 28 to Development Management, Rosebery Place, Clydebank, G81 1TG.
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