PLANS to build a new £6m Lidl store in Dumbarton- with the potential of creating as many as 100 new jobs- have been shelved for the time being.

Members of West Dunbartonshire Council's Planning Committee were asked to consider refusing permission for the new store in Castle Street on Wednesday- by their own Planning and Buildings Standards division.

However, in a partial climbdown, the committee instead voted in favour of continuing the matter until a later date.

The committee chairman Lawrence O'Neill proposed a motion to continue the matter.

However, Mr O'Neill and other members had to take legal advice before proceeding.

And Mr O'Neill's motion won through by four votes to three.

As a result Lidl bosses will have to go back to the drawing board, literally, and come up with a new design.

It's understood that five previous designs were mooted but all five have been deemed 'unsuitable.'

The Lidl application relates to the eastern half of the old distillery land.

They seek a 6,000m² retail development spread over four units.

Two detached units would be located at the west, with the other two units located in a single building at the east of the site.

The centre of the site, at the head of the tidal basin, would be used for car parking.

The largest unit would comprise a Lidl foodstore of 2,477m² but the occupiers of the other three units are not known at this time- although they are expected to be non-food retailers.

This is where the extra jobs could come from, on top of the 41 Lidl posts.

But Pamela Clifford, the local authority's planning and buildings standard manager said: "We have worked very hard with Lidl to get acceptable designs but our recommendation is for refusal."

Some of the concerns include the impact a Lidl development would have on WDC's own walkway project, which will link the Castle to the town centre.

There's also concerns over potential "noise issues" from the service yard where trucks would deliver their goods.

It's understood that it could impact on a future housing development being built nearby.

Buildings and Standards also claim that the development and external appearance of the proposed buildings would "not be in keeping" with the character of the surrounding area and would "not be of an appropriate quality" for the waterfront and town centre site."

Ms Clifford also told the meeting that her department had taken part in "a lot of

meetings" and put in a lot of "time and effort" so that Lidl had the opportunity to come up with alternative proposals that were satisfactory but that there had been "no significant changes" to the development.

Lidl representatives also made submissions to the committee with one of them stating that the proposed Castle Street store was part of a £15m planned investment in West Dunbartonshire, including one earmarked for Alexandria- and the relocation of the one in Clydebank.

He added: "We are very enthusiastic, from a Lidl point of view, to developing in West Dunbartonshire.

"This is one of three stores we are looking to develop, along with Alexandria Town Centre and to relocate the Clydebank store."

The Lidl representative also confirmed they supported WDC's walkway project "100 per cent" and would be as "flexible" as they could in order to try to get the proposals rubber stamped.

Councillors George Black and David McBride also spoke in favour of the proposed store and urged "further dialogue" between the local authority and Lidl in order to come up with compromise.

Pamela Clifford said: "I think we are in agreement that investment into the town is welcome.

"We have put time and effort into meeting with Lidl but still there's been no compromise. That's why are are in this position."

Lawrence O'Neill proposed a motion to continue the matter so that a compromise could be struck, adding: "Further discussions need to take place."