A Dumbarton dance teacher cried as councillors approved a planning application for her studio in the Vale.

Lindsey Donald's planning application for a dance studio based in the Vale of Leven Industrial Estate looked to be crushed before a meeting of the planning committee last week.

Council planners had recommended refusal of the plans, for safety reasons – citing HGVs used the road and it would not be safe to have more children in the area.

However, councillors voted against the recommendation, approving the plans on Wednesday at a meeting.

Clydebank Central councillor John Mooney made the committee aware of a "large public campaign" backing the plans.

He said: "This is something we should be aware of. I would say there is locational need, there are similar ones in Clydebank Business Park."

Cllr Hazel Sorrell, a Lomond representative, said: "There is a cafe and there is goalzone. If these guys are in place already why is this application unacceptable?"

Cllr Denis Agnew questioned whether young children being in the area would prohibit any application being approved in planning law.

Patricia Clifford, a planning officer, told the committee it was their judgement which had led to the decision to recommend refusal.

Alec Donald spoke on behalf of the applicant, debunking several points made by planners.

He said there was support from the BID in the industrial estate, and the area where the dance studio is not passed by HGVs, so that should not have been a reason for planners to reject the application.

He said the number of HGVs passing the building would be "one in a blue moon". He added: "That is the quietest area of the estate. The car park is used mainly by people going to the gym. The bulk of the traffic is people go to the gym or the childcare."

Mr Donald also said it was "not unusual" for dance studios to be in "these locations" - with a studio in Lomondgate estate, and others in Clydebank.

Cllr McColl said it was "a fantastic opportunity" to get another business in to the estate, and Cllr Agnew added there was "a need for this kind of thing", urging councillors to "look at the bigger picture".

The application was approved unanimously, with conditions, such as signage being put in place.

The 23-year-old and her dad were "delighted" the councillors had gone against planners and approved the application.

It is expected three jobs will be created with the full time dance studio, which will operate six days a week when it is up and running.

Fitness classes for adults will also be based at the studio, as well as dance classes for adults and children.