PLANS to regenerate the former Exxon site near Bowling have taken a step closer, councillors will be told on Wednesday.

A report to go before members of West Dunbartonshire Council this week has revealed that "good progress" has been made with regards to discussions between the oil giants and council officials over the future transfer of the land.

It's understood that the Head of Terms, also known as letters of intent, will be "signed-off" next month.

The Exxon site project is part of the Glasgow City Region: City Deal which would see the council contribute around £3.9m to the overall £28m regeneration project.

The council wants to transform the site near Bowling with a major industrial and commercial development, and create a road to provide an alternative route in and out of West Dunbartonshire.

It is anticipated that when complete the regeneration of the site will provide almost 700 new jobs with 44,200m2 of occupied industrial and commercial floorspace.

A report to go before council members tomorrow states: "With approval granted by the City Deal Cabinet the Council will now progress the Outline Business Case (OBC) as approved to a Final Business Case (FBC) due for completion in December 2019.

"The maximum budget available for the production of the FBC is £2.948m."

The report continues: "The last meeting took place on 25 May 2017 with ExxonMobil.

"Since then good progress has been made in the development of the Heads of Terms.

"It is anticipated that the Heads of Terms will be signed off in July 2017."

Earlier this year The Reporter told how the council would have to buy up third-party land in order to create the "most viable design solution."

A fresh report states: "Progress with negotiations with third party landowners is progressing. These negotiations have been worthwhile and will be continued over the summer months."

Councillors will tomorrow be asked to "note" the progress of the project.

West Dunbartonshire Councillor Martin Rooney said: "Our own project at Exxon is progressing well.

"This is an important milestone and allows us to make further progress with the site development. "

SNP Council Leader Jonathan McColl stated: "Our Administration remains committed to the project.

"We believe the risks involved are worth taking due to the significant potential benefits of 600 plus jobs and a new access road and what this will mean for our area.

"City Deal funding makes this possible in a way that might otherwise have been beyond WDC’s resources and we will continue to work on a cross party basis to monitor and progress our shared vision.

"This is a large and complex project and we are working hard to reach agreement with Exxon. I am pleased that we have reached a further milestone along the way with heads of terms agreed for the forthcoming negotiations."