Sylvania Way Delivery Group report
West Dunbartonshire Council · 31 July 2026
Back to Clydebank Pride in Place Board — 31 July 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
OFFICIAL [DATE] 1 Official Clydebank Neighbourhood Board Paper Template Meeting details Date 31/07/2026 Time 10 am Location Clyde Regional Shopping Centre Management Suite, Clydebank Agenda item details Item number Item description Project A5: Sylvania Way feasibility For information X For decison Date of report Lead name Alan Douglas Magda Swider Lead email Report item details 1. Main issues The first meeting of the group was held online on 9 June. Origins and strategic context of the project were discussed, including the Clydebank Town Centre Development Framework which was approved by the Council in 2021 and is adopted as supplementary planning guidance. It was agreed that the feasibility stage should prioritise the identification of viable and deliverable redevelopment routes. This must take into account both the wider impact on the town centre and the financial implications for the shopping centre owners. Thereafter the discussion identified a number of key issues that will require careful consideration as the project progresses: Asset performance It was noted that the shopping centre is currently performing well, particularly within the southern section, where a number of reliable long-term leases are in place. This highlights the importance of safeguarding existing income streams and maintaining tenant confidence. Commercial and financial implications There is a clear need to fully understand the commercial and financial impact of any redevelopment proposals, alongside the long-term prospects of the asset. This analysis
Page 2
OFFICIAL [DATE] 2 Official should be undertaken at an early stage and prior to the development of detailed redevelopment options. Tenant perception and market confidence Consideration must be given to how redevelopment proposals are perceived by existing tenants, particularly in relation to potential uncertainty. Maintaining confidence and minimising disruption will be critical. Avoidance of displacement Any proposals should seek to avoid the displacement of existing retail and activities, recognising their role in sustaining the vitality and viability of the town centre. Review of existing proposals The Clydebank Town Centre Development Framework proposals should be critically reassessed in light of current market conditions. There is a possibility that elements such as the proposed town square and market hall may not represent the most viable or deliverable options. Policy and environmental considerations Key policy and environmental factors must be incorporated into the analysis, including National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), flooding risk, and alignment with the Clyde Mission. Scope and boundaries It is important to clearly define what is included within the project scope, ensuring that all areas of the framework not yet delivered are considered. This may include extending the boundary across Chalmers Street. Integration with adjacent projects The relationship with other nearby developments, including Three Queens Square and the future Transport Hub, should be considered to ensure alignment and maximise regeneration benefits. The second meeting of the group took place on 13 July. The primary focus of the meeting was to review and discuss the proposed brief, with all members invited to provide comments and feedback. The final version of the brief will be completed by mid-August. The Council will procure suitably qualified consultants to undertake the feasibility study on behalf of the Board. A shortlist of proposed consultants will be circulated to the group in due course. It was also agreed that the next meeting will be scheduled for late August, primarily to review the tender submissions. The exact date is to be confirmed and will be dependent on the tender procurement timescales. 2. Outline of any issues/risks and how these are being managed The key risks at this stage relate primarily to stakeholder engagement and information availability. There is a risk of insufficient buy-in from key partners, which could impact the ability to progress feasibility work and agree a clear direction for the project. This risk is being managed through ongoing engagement and ensuring that partners are involved in shaping the scope and objectives of the work from an early stage.
Page 3
OFFICIAL [DATE] 3 Official A further risk relates to the potential requirement for access to commercially sensitive or confidential information to establish an accurate understanding of the shopping centre’s condition, performance and future prospects. This could be managed through the use of appropriate confidentiality arrangements ensuring that trust is maintained while enabling robust analysis to inform decision-making. 3. Outline of the main outputs expected before next meeting The key outputs anticipated prior to the next reporting period are: Agreed procurement route Agreed brief for the appointment of external consultants with expertise required to support the study Commence procurement 4. What are the requirements to achieve the outcomes of this report? To support delivery of the above outputs, the following requirements are in place: Commitment from and ongoing collaboration with the key partners: Clydebank Shopping Centre and West Dunbartonshire Council Continued officer resource to manage the project activity. Appropriate governance and approvals in line with Council procurement and financial procedures. No additional approvals are sought at this stage. 5. Recommendations It is recommended that the Clydebank Neighbourhood Board: Notes the update.