PLANNING guidance to govern ambitious plans to link historic Dumbarton Castle to the town centre with an ambitious walkway have been given the green light.

A new report presented to members of WDC's planning committee last Wednesday asked them to approve some amendments to the original draft planning guidance, which had been approved back in December.

And members agreed to the following amendments:

- The associated plan is updated to reflect the application boundary of the waterfront path, Option A is confirmed as the specification- subject to a few minor amendments. This includes changing the type of asphalt from resin bonded gravel/coloured to standard hot rolled asphalt.

- Option B is removed from the guidance

- And path costs per site to include a note that estimated costs will be updated in line with any rises in inflation.

A council study came up with two versions of the project- one costing just under £1m and a second one costing £1.2m.

The higher spec vision, costing around £1.2m, is the preferred option.

The report went on to say: “Draft Planning Guidance on Dumbarton Waterfront path was approved by Planning Committee on 21st December 2016.

“The guidance was published for consultation on 22nd December 2016 for a six-week period, with comments sought by 2nd February 2017.”

In response to the initial consultation, four responses were received.

Three came from landowners/developers in the immediate area – Cullross, Lidl UK and Brabco Ltd and one from Scottish Natural Heritage and the local authority addressed the responses.

The report concludes: “The approved guidance will ensure that the path is delivered in a comprehensive manner, to the agreed specification and as soon as possible but no later than December 2019.”

In September, The Reporter told how the proposal was one of four major regeneration projects in West Dunbartonshire to get the green light of a £7m investment.

The funding came from West Dunbartonshire Council’s Regeneration Capital Fund.

The plans will also see a revamp in Bowling Basin, two public squares in Balloch being established and the Glasgow Road area of Clydebank being “revitalised.”

The projects will get a share of the cash handout after councillors voted to approve the investment at the council’s infrastructure, regeneration and economic development committee last year.

And they’ll also benefit from external funding sources too.The four projects were identified during local charrette processes, in which local residents had their say on local priorities via drop-in information sessions and workshops with schools and community groups.

At Dumbarton waterfront, money is being set aside to develop the walkway and cycle path from the town centre to the castle, with an additional £1m expected to be sourced from housing developers and other commercial partners.

And a £1.2million sum will also be allocated to the creation of two public squares next to the train station in Balloch; a charrette suggestion intended to improve the use of public space and enhance the impression of the village to visiting tourists.An extra £400,000 is expected to come from other sources.

The plans for the A814 at Glasgow Road will see crossings installed at Clydebank Town Hall and Queens Quay to improve pedestrian links.

This project will receive £2.3m from the Regeneration Capital Fund and has already secured £2m in Sustrans funding.

Proposals for Bowling Basin have been developed by Scottish Canals and will see the Council invest £2million of Regeneration Capital Fund cash.

This will be recouped as the project becomes profitable through the sale of houses and commercial opportunities.