BOSSES at an Alexandria shopping centre hope to be given the green light for ambitious expansion plans.

Antartex Village have lodged papers with West Dunbartonshire Council, asking the local authority to renew permission to develop part of the centre.

It’s understood that they hope to establish a new soft play, children’s area and cafe, along with a variety of other improvements.

In the application, Antartex Village are requesting the “partial demolition and redevelopment of the existing retail unit with ancillary uses including a new cafe, soft play area, outdoor seating area with children’s play area, and associated improvements to the main access, car park, coach parking, landscaping and the provision of a coach drivers rest area and ancillary works.”

Planning permission was initially granted back in 2013 but the centre owners, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, decided not to proceed.

This time they are hoping that renewed permission will be granted and that the project can press ahead.

The development details state that: “It is proposed to substantially reconfigure the development in order to improve its attractiveness as a retail outlet and visitor destination.

“The key elements of the proposal include the demolition of unused parts of the building and construction of replacement retail floorspace.

“The current buildings which form the Antartex Village extend to 5,235 square metres, of which it is proposed to retain 2,700 square metres and demolish 2,535 square metres.

“In its place 2,700 square metres of replacement floorspace would be constructed, thereby increasing the overall floorspace by only 165 square metres to a total of 5,400 square metres.”

The application goes on to talk about the proposed children’s play area, saying: “Included within the reconfigured and extended building would be a cafe, a children’s soft play area and coach drivers’ facility, while externally, outdoor seating and a children’s play area would be formed.”

MSP Jackie Baillie said: “Many local families and visitors will welcome the idea of a new soft play area in Alexandria to increase the range of activities on offer for young children.

“I look forward to seeing the plans in more detail and I would encourage local residents and businesses to make their views known during the planning application process.”

It’s understood that the proposal will come before the planning committee at West Dunbartonshire Council next month.