SONSTRUST communications and projects officer Simon Barrow, who sat in the packed public gallery at Clydebank Town Hall last week, remained upbeat after the crucial decision to reject the club’s Young’s Farm development plans.

But the reaction from members of the public has been deeply divided following last Wednesday’s vote.

Mr Barrow said: “The vote at the council meeting was very close. We will wait to see if the developers choose to resubmit an application or make an appeal.

“In the meantime the trust remains committed to the vision of a community club with a sustainable future on and off the pitch.

“We have some imaginative ideas as to what can be done moving forward, and the trust board will meet to begin to flesh these out.

“Our wish is for further decisions about the club’s future to be taken carefully but without too much further delay.

“The key thing is to ensure that our fans and local people are at the heart of the direction we choose to go in.”

One concerned fan on Facebook, John Cartwright from Dumbarton, said: “This is a terrible decision. It could potentially mean the slow decline of Dumbarton FC.

“The club are already losing money. The point of the move was to generate more money via the pitches. I fear for the future.”

He was supported by schoolteacher James Cormack, from Dumbarton, who said: “I realise it was an open vote with no political whip being applied but the councillors who opposed this should hang their heads in shame.

“West Dunbartonshire has only one senior club. They should take pride in it and support it instead of getting the boot into it.

“There was always going to be a small number of people who will object, no matter where it is.”

Mark Foster, from Dumbarton, added: “Some folk just want to stand in the way of progress. Poor decision with total disregard for the kids of the future.”

Another contributor on social media, Kevin McIntyre, said: “Over half the current land was going to West Dunbartonshire Council to build a coach park and visitor centre for the castle and walkway to the town centre.”

As soon as the vote was announced and the application had been defeated, Rose Harvie, representing one of the 10 objectors, Silverton and Overtoun Community Council, stood up and applauded and said: “I was sure we were going to lose.”

Another person, who was delighted with the decision, was Craig Snedden, who commented: “It was the most ludicrous place to even be considered for a football pitch.

“There was only one access road and the farm has already said it would cause chaos with extra traffic at peak times, especially when the cows are moving from the fields to the farm.

“They seem desperate to get rid of the old stadium, for what? More ‘affordable’ housing. This is probably the best decision the council have made in years.”

Linda Speir added: “An excellent outcome. Building on green belt land should never have been considered in the first place. Thank you to the councillors who voted against this proposal.”

Martin Brown went on: “I would consider there are other, more appropriate sites that should be identified. Flooding and traffic are major material planning considerations, and the decision is the right one in this instance. It is not standing in the way of progress.