Regeneration or degeneration?

Colin Hutton • Published 17 Nov 2009 09:00

IT is do or die for Dumbarton town centre in the coming weeks as a pivotal Planning decision is set to be announced.

And despite a "welcome" £450,000 cash injection being unveiled this week - to regenerate the High Street - it is feared it will be too little too late.

Business leaders are eagerly awaiting the outcome of an appeal by Henry Lax Developments Ltd, the company behind a move to build seven small shop units at St James Retail Park.

Not even the news from Communities Minister Alex Neill that West Dunbartonshire Council has secured a slice of the Town Centre Regeneration Fund has lifted the spirits of worried firms.

Robert Ryan, chairman of Business for Dumbarton, told the Reporter: "We welcome this money, but if the appeal is successful it could be a complete waste.

"Dumbarton town centre's problems are a lot bigger than £450,000, but anything which is positive we obviously support.

"The town centre needs big investment, so I suppose this is a start.

"If the appeal is successful it would have a negative effect on Dumbarton and it would kill any hope of regeneration for a generation.

"The money is certainly welcome, but in the grand scheme of things the outcome of the appeal is much bigger for the town centre."

The development company lodged the appeal with Holyrood ministers at the start of the month after its initial application was turned down by West Dunbartonshire Council in December last year.

The refusal was due to a Planning condition which stated that only two larger units were allowed to be built at the retail park to protect the town centre from further decline.

Mr Ryan, who owns Ryan's Pet Centre, added: "It's come to a critical point where this decision will decide whether the town centre gets regenerated or degenerated.

"The whole crux of the matter is that St James Retail Park is a completely separate destination and is not in any way in support of the town centre.

"Dumbarton town centre would not get any favourable kick back from an expansion of the retail park - that's a fact."

But a spokesman for Henry Lax Developments Ltd hit back at the claims.

Stuart Hall, the company's development manager, said: "The main thrust of the matter is how the retail park and the town centre can co-exist.

"There is very little money getting spent in Dumbarton at the moment so hopefully our extension can bring money back into Dumbarton as a whole.

"It's our view that they can work hand in hand to the benefit of the town.

"We were happy with the way the appeal went, so we are obviously hopeful it will be a positive result."

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 17 Nov 09

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