Published 10 December 2024
NOTEBOOK by BILL HEANEY
West Dunbartonshire Council has described its plans to “overhaul” Dumbarton Town Centre as “ambitious”. They are not. They are atrocious and should be ripped up and sent back to the architects who designed them and told them to have another go at coming up with something more acceptable to this community.
The council spin doctors have issued a press release which claims the regeneration of the now-called Artizan Centre has taken “a major step forward” and that planning permission has been granted “for the next phase of the project”.
It adds that members of the planning committee have approved the next phase and says the project “is part of investment provided through the UK Government for three key projects, also including the redevelopment of Glencairn House and the Connecting Dumbarton project”.
But that sentence doesn’t make sense, certainly not the second part of it which states “also including the redevelopment of Glencairn House and the Connecting Dumbarton project”.
They claim that during a consultation exercise last year, residents said they were keen to see more open space in the town centre location, but where is the evidence of that?
“Public realm improvements and property improvements as well as preparation of future development plots will now proceed after planning permission was granted,” the spin doctors continue.
And they appear to believe the council has given permission for a “planned new public square” which will “include outdoor seating, a small playpark with a mixture of natural, sensory and accessible play features and soft landscaping”.
Their spin continues that “a new structure inspired by historic shipbuilding structures is proposed, which will form a centerpiece of the development as a whole”.
Maybe someone should tell them that was tried years ago with the Napier Engine which was frequently vandalised and made to stand in a shallow pond into which packets of soap powder, stolen from Hay’s supermarket, were poured to create large amounts of foam which quickly spread across the square.
The genii of the stream, not, who are our elected councillors, have agreed that “the public square will include integrated lighting and services and be capable of hosting outdoor market stalls, events or food and beverage vans.”
What do they have in mind for the food and beverage vans – an ice cream van or two and maybe a fish and chip van, kept open until after the pubs shut?
The press release adds: “It is hoped that the new public realm will help to bring the space to life, encouraging more people to spend time in the town centre for leisure, increasing the footfall and the amount of time spent in Dumbarton.”
Someone should tell these people that expressions such as “the public realm” and “increasing the footfall”are not common parlance in Dumbarton. Some folk don’t even know what they mean, and I’m not excluding councillors from that remark.
We are told the works which are due to start on site in early 2025 are the first phase of delivery of the “Artizan Masterplan” – ah, come on get a grip – “which provides a long-term vision for how the site can be redeveloped over coming years”.
Specsavers Opticians is just around the corner in High Street and Willie Wilkie’s is right there on site. Perhaps the councillors and officials – some of them are on about 100 grand a year – should have visited one of them before embarking on the following pish and tosh:
“The vision comprises residential space, retail spaces, restaurants and cafes, leisure units as well as landscaping, outdoor space and attractive public realm.”
Undeterred, these very expensive scribblers, press on with this: “The masterplan will be delivered in phases which will reduce the impact on existing businesses and public who use the town centre.
“During recent demolition work, some pedestrian access paths have had to be diverted but the Council have taken steps to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum and local traders and residents are kept informed.”
I believe they said something similar to that when they embarked on the roadworks project to make Cardross Road safe.
Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, Councillor David McBride – big title, small mind, said: “This is a vital new step in the regeneration of Dumbarton town centre and I am delighted that this important step has been taken which help bring this vision to life.
“I am grateful for the feedback which the public has given and that our teams have focused on the comments made by residents to form these plans.
Labour councillors David McBride, left, and Lawrence O’Neill, who backed the council plan before they resigned the administration.
“I look forward to seeing this develop over the coming months and breathing new life into Dumbarton town centre.”
Councillor McBride should have a look at the feedback at the council’s most recent test of public opinion which followed this laughable press release.
His colleague, Vice Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, Councillor Lawrence O’Neill [aka Flanagan and Allen] said: “This is a new chapter for the town and, along with the redevelopment at Glencairn House, those who use work, live and shop in the town centre will soon see a significant improvement to the look and feel of Dumbarton.
“It is an exciting stage in this project and one which should reap huge benefits for the businesses who currently trade in the town and help well (sic) attract more firms to operate from here.”
Planning permission was granted subject to conditions.
My own conditions would be that the Council tell the architects to stuff their plan and to come back with something more acceptable and in keeping with the town we love so well.
- I am told the demolition works at the town centre have been delayed and that part of it has remained standing. West Dunbartonshire Council refuse to explain the reason for this but to carry on with these works to completion could cost much more than has been budgeted for.