HISTORIC Levengrove Park has been included into the Kirktonhill Conservation Area.

The public park, a long admired feature for children and families in Dumbarton for generations, will now enjoy the same protection as several other areas to the east of the site.

The changes were made as part of proposed alterations of the Kirktonhill Conservation Area boundary, which came before members of West Dunbartonshire Council's Planning Committee- and approved- last week.

A report which came before members said: "It is recommended that the Committee approves the following changes to the Kirktonhill Conservation Area boundary- the inclusion of Levengrove Park, the removal of Helenslee Crescent and the removal of the garage at West Bridgend."

The report also went into the background of the proposals, saying: "The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 states that conservation areas are ‘areas of special architectural or historic

interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.’

"Local authorities have a statutory duty to identify and designate such areas.

"The Kirktonhill Conservation Area in Dumbarton was designated in 1984 and is one of five conservation areas in West Dunbartonshire, and one of two in Dumbarton, the other being Knoxland Square.

"Kirktonhill is West Dunbartonshire’s largest conservation area and is an area where significant development has occurred since its designation over 30 years ago."

It's understood that The Scottish Civic Trust was commissioned by the Council in January 2016 to undertake an appraisal of the Kirktonhill Conservation Area.

The June Planning Committee was advised that a Conservation Area Appraisal for Kirktonhill Conservation Area had been undertaken by the Scottish Civic Trust and approved its publication for consultation.

The report stated: "On the basis of the appraisal, the Civic Trust recommended the following changes to the boundary of the conservation area: The inclusion of Levengrove Park within the conservation area - due to its historic development as part of, and current contribution to the setting of the Kirktonhill suburb, the park is considered worthy of conservation area status."

The report also justified the removal from the conservation area of Helenslee Crescent, saying: "This area

in the northern part of the conservation area was formerly the grounds of Dunmore House, but has been redeveloped with late 20th Century housing, which is distinctively different in character and appearance to the rest of the conservation area."

And it states the reason why the garage in West Bridgeend too go, too, saying: "The Black Bull formerly occupied this site, but has been demolished and replaced by a modern building not in keeping with the conservation area."

The appraisal was published on 24 June 2016 with comments sought by 16 September 2016.

That appraisal was made available on the Council’s website and leaflets were sent to all of the properties within the conservation area.

The report goes on: "Residents were advised of the proposed changes and were invited to a drop-in information session at West Kirk Church Hall held on 23 August.

"The exhibition was attended by approximately 20 local residents, and employees of the Scottish Civic Trust who had been involved in the appraisal work, along with Council staff, were available to answer questions.

"Twelve written responses to the consultation were received.

"Eight of the responses opposed the removal of the houses on Helenslee Road from the conservation area.

"Three comments were received in relation to the removal of Helenslee Crescent from the conservation area - one in support of its removal and two against.

"And six responses supported the inclusion of Levengrove Park in the conservation area, while one response opposed the removal of the garage on West Bridgend from the conservation area."

The report also states that the park has "historical significance" adding: "The park is of historical significance as

the site of the early chapel of Cardross, a scheduled ancient monument, and its grounds were part of the original Levengrove Estate.

"It contributes to the setting of the conservation area and to the wider landscape providing a green buffer.

"Parks and other green spaces were often not included in earlier conservation area designations which were more focused on the built environment.

"However, the contribution of these green spaces to the character, appearance and atmosphere of a conservation area is now recognised.

"The Conservation Area designation would recognise the contribution the park makes to both the Kirktonhill Conservation Area and to Dumbarton as a whole.

"The designation of Levengrove Park as part of the conservation area is also considered complementary to the Council’s project to restore the historic character of the park through the Heritage Lottery Fund project."