A RADICAL new vision has been unveiled for the centre of Clydebank – as councillors heard a fresh warning predicting the death of local high streets.
The new look to the town centre would see the amount of space given to shopping slashed and more room devoted to houses and open spaces.
The vision for the town is contained in a 15-year 'development framework' for Clydebank was considered by members of the infrastructure, regeneration and economic development (IRED) committee of West Dunbartonshire Council on Wednesday.
The report predicts a 50 per cent reduction in traditional retail in the next five years as people do more and more of their shopping online.
The vision includes new homes on the site of the former Playdrome leisure centre, a new transport hub for buses, trains and active travel, and redeveloping Sylvania Way to create new residential, retail and business opportunities.
Much of the current shopping space between the canal and Chalmers Street would disappear and be replaced by homes, new business premises, a market hall – and perhaps even a new cinema for the town.
A new park, improved indoor and outdoor space for community activities and an activities centre also feature, along with more childcare facilities and 'later living' accommodation.
There's also a new open-air public space at the south end of Sylvania War.
It was also revealed that there could be potential to develop a new school, if the opportunity and funding arose, serving new homes in the town centre and Queens Quay.
The development framework provides for a 56 per cent reduction in the amount of space given to traditional retail and 'food and beverage' (F&B) premises between the Forth and Clyde Canal and Clydebank railway station.
The Clydebank Co-operative Society's red sandstone office and Clydebank Waterfront Parish Church are among the few buildings between the canal and the station which would be retained under the new vision.
During the meeting, Labour councillor Martin Rooney said: “The Clydebank development framework is really good. It has responded to the change in retail and shopping needs.
“The report points out that a 50 per cent reduction in retail is expected over the next five years.
"There is a whole load of stuff changing which is impacting on the viability of shopping centres and places like Clyde Shopping Centre.
“It is suggested we turn quite a lot of the retail area into housing, which means the new houses will bring new customers.
"There are going to be a lot of improvements to the area to breathe new life into the centre of Clydebank.”
SNP councillor and depute provost Karen Conaghan also pointed out that people still needed access to shops, healthcare and leisure facilities.
She said: “We do need to look towards creating areas where people have their needs served in terms of access to shops, healthcare needs and leisure.
“We are all very aware of the health benefits that socialisation brings to people by creating links for them.
“We need to listen to our younger people who we look to create these places for. What do they want? What do they need?
"That is an important part of this in the challenge. We don’t want vast housing estates with no shopping provision or greenspace.
“I am really interested to see how this will go forward, particularly in the planning stages.”
The report states: "This is a vision of a real town centre with heritage, variety and identity.
"The retail requirement will significantly decrease, but not as drastically as elsewhere."
A planning application for the development will be brought before the planning committee in due course.
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