West Dunbartonshire Council has launched its public consultation on designating Dumbarton town centre as a conservation area.

The local authority says the move will preserve “what is special about the area, and where possible improve and enhance it”, as well as “help boost the town’s image and profile more widely”.

Features included in the area proposed are the High Street, the Leven waterfront, the Artizan Centre, Dumbarton Sheriff Court, the roadscape around the A814, Dumbarton Library and Dumbarton Central Station.

Within a designated conservation area, planning control is directed at maintaining the area’s integrity and enhancing its special character. As such, conservation area status increases the appropriate controls the council has over development, alterations, demolition and advertising.

Most works to the outside of a building or structure in a conservation area will require planning permission where they change the appearance of the building.

The status would also allow the council to explore applying for a Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), funded by Historic Environment Scotland which would provide financial support for regeneration and conservation initiatives within the town centre.

If agreed, it would be West Dunbartonshire’s sixth such area joining Kirktonhill and Knoxland Square in being given this status.

The consultation will run until March 11 and a drop-in exhibition is being held on February 19 from 4pm-8pm in the council offices in Church Street, Dumbarton.

To comment or get further information, call 0141 951 7930 and ask to speak to James Hall, email ldp@west-dunbarton.gov.uk or write to Forward Planning Team, Planning and Building Standards, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton, G82 1QL.