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A greenfield site favoured by Dumbarton Football Club for a new multi-million pound stadium is not suitable for the purpose, according to a planning blueprint for West Dunbartonshire.

Government planning chiefs have said building a 4,000 capacity stadium at the Young's Farm site, off Renton Road, would be damaging to the landscape and individual identities of Dumbarton and Renton and would not appear to be compatible with planning criteria.

The comments are contained in the newly published Proposed Local Development Plan (LDP) which sets out the type of development that would be acceptable in any given area.

The football club's plan to relocate to the farm site, with an "enabling" housing development alongside - to help finance the scheme - had been previously rejected by West Dunbartonshire Council and the new document backs the council's decision.

The planning reporter states he did not identify any shortfall in private housing land supply for the Dumbarton/Vale of Leven housing market area.

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He adds: "Releasing land at Young’s Farm for residential development could, therefore, either fail in its purpose of attracting developer interest or divert development pressure from other, better-located sites in the area, including brownfield sites.

"I therefore conclude that the designation of the Young’s Farm site in the plan for use as a football stadium would be unwise due to the likelihood, based on the material available to this examination, that this use is currently an unrealistic aspiration."

He also highlighted "significant flooding constraints in the eastern part of the site".

The reporter added that he hoped the council and the football club would continue to work together productively to identify how the development needs of the club could best be accommodated.

Colin Hosie, vice-chairman of Dumbarton FC, said: "We have noted the change of planning status for the Young's Farm site.

"However, questions about this or about any future relocation are in the hands of our owners.

"In the meantime, our entire focus as a board is on maintaining and developing the club at the C&G Systems Stadium - and in particular the challenges we and others in Scottish football face in the light of the current pandemic."

Sonstrust secretary Jack Brough said opinion among fans about a prospective move to Young's Farm had been divided, with many remaining unconvinced that these plans offered the best way forward.

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He added: "We worked hard to get the club's owners to hear the voice of fans, and we are pleased that the current chairman and board are open and engaged.

"All our efforts are now focused on enabling the club we love to survive and thrive at the Rock."

Jackie Baillie MSP said: “On balance, I did not believe that the Young’s Farm site was suitable for a football stadium and associated housing development and I think that the Local Development Plan is right to rule this out at this location.

“The covid 19 pandemic has brought football to a halt for the time being and it will have an impact on our economy that we cannot yet begin to imagine.

"I suspect that any such development may well be on the back burner for now.”

Rose Harvey, secretary of Silvertoun and Overtoun Commnity Council which had opposed the plans, said she was delighted with the findings of the proposed LDP.

She added: "It was the wrong plan for the wrong site for the wrong reasons."

The council is now being asked to adopt the proposed LDP findings.