Document Pack (Bookmarked) - Planning Committee 10 09 25
West Dunbartonshire Council · 10 September 2025
Back to Planning Committee — 10 September 2025 and its agenda
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Agenda Planning Committee Date: Wednesday, 10 September 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Time: 10.00 ___________________________________________________________________ Venue: Civic Space, Council Offices, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton G82 1QL ___________________________________________________________________ Contact: Nicola Moorcroft, Committee Officer Nicola.moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Committee.admin@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Dear Member Please attend a meeting of the Planning Committee as detailed above. The business is shown on the attached agenda. Yours faithfully PETER HESSETT Chief Executive Page 1
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Distribution:- Provost Karen Murray Conaghan Councillor Lawrence O’Neill (Chair) Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal (Vice Chair) Councillor Kevin Crawford Councillor Ian Dickson Councillor Fiona Hennebry Councillor Chris Pollock Councillor Lauren Oxley Councillor Hazel Sorrell Councillor Clare Steel All other Councillors for information Date of Issue: 28 August 2025 Page 2
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PLANNING COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2025 AGENDA 1 APOLOGIES 2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Members are invited to declare if they have an interest in any of the items of business on this agenda and the reasons for such declarations. 3 OPEN FORUM The Committee is asked to note that no open forum questions have been submitted by members of the public. 4 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING 5 - 11 Submit for approval, as a correct record, the Minutes of Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 6 August 2025. 5 NOTE OF VISITATION 13 Submit, for information, a Note of the Site Visitation carried out on 5 August 2025. 6 PLANNING APPLICATION 15 - 28 Submit report by the Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager, in respect of the following Planning application:- DC25/083/FUL: Change of use from 1A to a hot food takeaway (Sui Generis) and installation of a new flue at 76 High Street, Dumbarton G82 1PQ by Mr Azatrum Dholi. 7 DEVELOPMENT PLAN SCHEME AND PARTICIPATION STATEMENT 2025 29 - 63 Submit report by the Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager, seeking approval of the 2025 Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement in relation to a new Local Development Plan (LDP3). Page 3
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PLANNING COMMITTEE At a Meeting of the Planning Committee held in the Council Chambers, Clydebank Town Hall, 5 Hall Street, Clydebank, on Wednesday, 6 August 2025 at 10.02 a.m. Present: Provost Karen Murray Conaghan and Councillors Gurpreet Singh Johal, Lawrence O’Neill, Lauren Oxley and Clare Steel. Attending: Michael Mulgrew, Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager; James McColl, Development Management Team Leader; Amy Melkevik, Lead Planning Officer; Michael McDougall, Manager of Legal Services and Nicola Moorcroft, Committee Officer. Apologies: Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors Kevin Crawford, Ian Dickson, Fiona Hennebry, David McBride and Hazel Sorrell. Councillor Lawrence O’Neill in the Chair DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST It was noted that there were no declarations of interest in any of the items of business on the agenda. OPEN FORUM The Committee noted that no open forum questions had been submitted by members of the public. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The Minutes of Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 04 June 2025 were submitted and approved as a correct record. VARIATION IN ORDER OF BUSINESS Councillor O’Neill, Chair, advised the Committee that he would vary the order of business as hereinafter minuted. ITEM 4 Page 5
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DC25/019/S36: BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE FACILITY CONSISTING OF COMPOUND OF BATTERIES AND ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, STORES, ACCESS TRACK, BUILDINGS, FENCING, POND, BUNDS AND NEW PLANTING AT BRAIDFIELD ROAD, HARDGATE, CLYDEBANK BY BRAIDFIELD BATTERY STORAGE LIMITED The Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager informed the Committee that the Energy Consents Unit had advised that further information was to be submitted in respect to this application and that there would be further consultation. He sought a view from the Committee regarding discussing the paper as presented or to defer consideration of this item to a future Committee once that additional information had been received and reviewed by Officers. After discussion, and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed to defer this item until a later meeting of this Committee. PLANNING APPLICATION A report was submitted by the Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager, in respect of the following Planning application:- DC25/076/FUL: Section 42 Application to vary Condition 12 - Working Hours (Amendment to DC24/081/Ful) at Artizan Centre College Way, Dumbarton by West Dunbartonshire Council. Having heard the Development Management Team Leader in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed to grant planning permission for this Section 42 application, subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1 hereto. APPLICATION DC22/245/FUL SCOTTISH MINISTERS DECISION ON PLANNING A report was submitted by the Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager providing an update on Planning Application DC22/245/FUL which was referred to the Scottish Ministers. After discussion and having heard the Lead Planning Officer in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed to note the decision of the Scottish Ministers. NATIONAL PLANNING IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK A report was submitted by the Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager providing an update on recent work undertaken by the Planning Service in relation to the National Planning Improvement Framework and the endorsement by the National Planning Improvement Team of the Performance Assessment and Improvement Plan. Page 6
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After discussion and having heard the Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed to note the outcome of the above process. DC23/223/S36: PROPOSED WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT COMPRISING UP TO TEN WIND TURBINES OF APPROXIMATELY 7 MEGAWATTS (MW) EACH, WITH A MAXIMUM BLADE TIP HEIGHT OF UP TO 250M, AND BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (BESS) WITH A CAPACITY UP TO 20 MW AT THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED VALE OF LEVEN WINDFARM, KILPATRICK HILLS, EAST OF ALEXANDRIA BY VALE OF LEVEN WIND FARM LIMITED A report was submitted by the Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager seeking agreement on an updated consultation response, following the receipt of a revised proposal reducing the height of the proposed turbines together with updated supporting documents from the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit, on behalf of the Scottish Ministers, in connection with a proposed wind farm development comprising up to ten wind turbines of approximately 7 megawatts (MW) each, with a maximum blade tip height of up to 250m, and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity up to 20 MW at the Site of the Proposed Vale of Leven Windfarm, Kilpatrick Hills, East of Alexandria by Vale of Leven Wind Farm Limited. After discussion and having heard the Development Management Team the Committee agreed:- (1) that the report be forwarded to the Scottish Ministers as presenting the Council’s updated response to the consultation and that it highlights that the Council maintains its objection to the application in respect of the reasons set out in paragraph 4.21 of the report; and (2) that all matters arising in respect of any Public Local Inquiry are delegated to the Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager. The meeting closed at 10.46 a.m. Page 7
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APPENDIX 1 DC25/076/FUL: Section 42 Application to vary Condition 12 - Working Hours (Amendment to DC24/081/Ful) at Artizan Centre College Way, Dumbarton by West Dunbartonshire Council. GRANT full planning permission subject to the following conditions:- 1. Prior to the commencement of development on site, exact details of all proposed external materials (inclusive of all hard surfaces), to be used in the development site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. Thereafter, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Planning Authority, the development shall be completed in strict accordance with the approved material details and palette. Reason: In the interest of visual amenity. 2. Notwithstanding the approved plans, a programme for the implementation and completion of the soft and hard landscaping works shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. Thereafter the development shall proceed accordance with the approved details, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Planning Authority. Reason: In the interest of visual amenity. 3. Notwithstanding the approved details, a Tree protection Plan to describe how trees on site shall be safeguarded through the development process, including details of any works required to the trees to allow for the construction phase shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. Thereafter, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Planning Authority, the development shall be completed in strict accordance with the approved plan. Reason: In the interest of visual amenity, protection and enhancement of biodiversity and tree protection. 4. That any trees, shrubs or areas of grass which die, are removed, damaged or become diseased within five years of completion of the landscaping shall be replaced within the following year with others of a similar size and species. Reason: In the interest of visual amenity and biodiversity. 5. Notwithstanding the approved plans, prior to the installation of the proposed play equipment, full details of the equipment to be installed and its location shall be provided to and approved in writing. Thereafter, the play equipment shall be installed as specified and remain in place for the lifetime for the development unless otherwise agree in writing by the Planning Authority. Reason: To ensure that full details of play equipment are secured. Page 8
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6. Prior to commencement of any works on site, a site management scheme for construction traffic shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. Thereafter work shall proceed in accordance with the approved scheme unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Planning Authority. Reason: In the interest of road safety. 7. a) No development that breaks ground or otherwise involves ground works (other than investigative work) can take place until such time as a comprehensive site investigation has been carried out to the appropriate Phase level and submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. The investigation shall be completed by a suitably qualified and competent person and completed in accordance with advice given in the following: Planning Advice Note 33 (2000) and Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (as inserted by section 57 of the Environment Act 1995) BS 10175:2011+A1:2013 – British Standards institution ‘The Investigation of Potentially Contaminated Sites – Code of Practice’. Land Contamination and Development Management -Guidance. https://www.ep- scotland.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2019/09/ConLanDevGuide_12- Aug19-FINAL.pdf i. If the Phase 1 investigation indicates any potential pollution linkages, a Conceptual Site Model must be formulated, and these linkages must be subjected to risk assessment. If a Phase 2 investigation is required, then a risk assessment of all relevant pollution linkages will require to be submitted. ii. If the risk assessment identifies any unacceptable risks, then an appraisal of remedial options followed by a detailed remediation scheme will be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. No works other than investigative works shall be carried out on site prior to receipt of the Planning Authority’s written approval of the remediation scheme. Reason: To protect public health and to ensure that the site is suitable for its intended use. 8. Remediation of the site shall be carried out in accordance with the approved remediation scheme prior to the proposed development being brought into use. Any amendments to the approved remediation scheme shall not be implemented unless approved in writing by the Planning Authority. On completion of the remediation works, the developer shall submit a verification report to the Planning Authority, confirming that the works have been carried out in accordance with the approved remediation scheme and that the works have successfully reduced the risks to acceptable levels. Page 9
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Reason: To protect public health and to ensure that the site is suitable for its intended use. 9. The presence of any previously unexpected contamination that becomes evident during the development of the site shall be reported to the Planning Authority in writing within one week, and work on the site shall cease. At this stage, if requested by the Planning Authority, an appropriate investigation and risk assessment shall be undertaken, and a remediation scheme shall be submitted to and approved by the Planning Authority prior to the recommencement of site works. The approved details shall be implemented as approved. Reason: To protect public health and to ensure that the site is suitable for its intended use. 10. If there is a requirement to either re-use site won material or to import material then the assessment criteria and sampling frequency that would adequately demonstrate its suitability for use shall be submitted to and approved by the Planning Authority prior to any material being re-used or imported. In addition to this and in accordance with BS3882:2015 and BS8601:2013, material to be used in the top 300mm shall also be free from metals, plastic, wood, glass, tarmac, paper and odours. On completion of the works and at a time and or phasing agreed by the Planning Authority, the developer shall submit a validation report containing details of the source of the material and associated test results to demonstrate its suitability for use. Reason: To protect public health and to ensure that the site is suitable for its intended use. 11. Unless otherwise approved in writing by the Authority, no development shall commence on site until such time as a scheme for the control and mitigation of dust has been submitted to and approved in writing by this Authority. The scheme shall identify likely sources of dust arising from the development or its construction and shall identify measures to prevent or limit the occurrence and impact of such dust. The approved scheme shall thereafter be implemented fully prior to any of the identified dust generating activities commencing on site and shall be maintained thereafter, unless otherwise approved by this Authority. Reason: To minimise the occurrence of dust, in the interests of the amenity of the area. 12. During the period of construction, all works and ancillary operations which are audible at the site boundary (or at such other place(s) as may be first agreed in writing with the Planning Authority) shall be carried out between the hours and programme shown on the submitted schedule SAV1 in addition to the standard working hours of: Mondays to Fridays: 0800 – 1800 Saturdays: 0800 – 1300 Page 10
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Sundays and public holidays: No Working Where changes to the programme are required, an amended schedule shall be submitted to the Planning Authority prior to the changes being implemented and approved in writing before their implementation. Reason: To ensure that the development does not adversely affect the amenity of neighbouring properties by creating excessive noise and disturbance at unsocial hours. 13. Prior to any works proposed which break ground or otherwise involves ground works, the developer shall secure the implementation of a programme of archaeological works in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority in consultation with the West of Scotland Archaeology Service. Thereafter the developer shall ensure that the programme of archaeological works is fully implemented and that all recording and recovery of archaeological resources within the development site is undertaken to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority in agreement with the West of Scotland Archaeology Service. Reason: In the interests of the recording of antiquity. Page 11
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PLANNING COMMITTEE NOTE OF VISITATION – 05 AUGUST 2025 Present: Councillors Kevin Crawford and Lawrence O’Neill. Attending: James McColl - Development Management Team Leader SITE VISIT A site visit was undertaken in connection with the undernoted planning application:- Braidfield Road, Hardgate, Clydebank DC25/019/S36: Battery Energy Storage Facility consisting of compound of batteries and Associated Electrical Equipment, Stores, Access Track, Buildings, Fencing, Pond, Bunds and new by Braidfield Battery Storage Limited. ITEM 5 Page 13
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager Planning Committee: 10th September 2025 DC25/083/FUL: Change of use from 1A to a hot food takeaway (Sui Generis) and installation of a new flue at 76 High Street, Dumbarton, G82 1PQ by Mr Azatrum Dholi 1. REASON FOR REPORT 1.1 The application has been subject to a substantial body of objection. Under the terms of the approved Scheme of Delegation, it therefore requires to be determined by the Planning Committee. 2. RECOMMENDATION 2.1 Grant planning permission subject to the conditions set out in Section 9 below. 3. DEVELOPMENT DETAILS 3.1 The application relates to a vacant commercial unit situated on the northern side of High Street, Dumbarton and is positioned within the ground floor of the Artizan Centre. The premises, which has a floor area of approximately 95 square metres over two floors, was last in use as a barber (Class 1A). The front of the unit faces onto High Street and has a large window and a door and space for signage above. The application site sits adjacent to a variety of premises including other Class 1A uses and a café within the Artizan Centre and on High Street as well as residential flats at 84 High Street. Glencairn House, which is currently being redeveloped to form a new public library, and museum lies to the opposite side of High Street. 3.2 The application site is located within both Dumbarton Town Centre and the Core Town Centre, as identified in the respective Proposals Maps of the Local Plan and proposed Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2). The site is further located within the Dumbarton Town Centre Conservation Area. 3.3 It is proposed to: Change the use of the unit from Shops and financial, professional and other services (Class 1A) to a hot food takeaway (Sui Generis). Install a flue on the rear elevation which would exit the unit 3.5 metres above ground level and rise 5.5 metres to finish 1.5 metres above the roof pitch. 3.4 Operating hours are provided by the applicant within the submitted drawings as 16:00 to 00:00 seven days a week. ITEM 6 Page 15
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4. CONSULTATIONS 4.1 West Dunbartonshire Council Roads Service No objections subject to condition relating to public utility prints to be reviewed prior to any excavation works being undertaken. 4.2 West Dunbartonshire Council Environmental Health Service No objections subject to conditions relating to vehicle delivery times during construction, construction hours, ventilation systems and waste provisions. Advisory notes relating to food safety and health and safety recommended. 4.3 West Dunbartonshire Council Asset Management Confirmed that the terms of a new lease have been agreed. 5. REPRESENTATIONS 5.1 64 representations were received, with 22 supporting the proposal and 42 objecting. The detail of each representation is available for public viewing in the electronic planning file for the application. Whilst additional representations were received, these could not be recorded as competent written objections as no contact details were provided. 5.2 The concerns raised in the objections can be summarised as follows: Operational concerns Concerns regarding cooking odours, waste and increased evening noise. Concerns regarding increased littering and seagulls. There is no rear access for the public. The proposal would increase traffic and parking issues. Impact upon the town centre Putting a takeaway next to the café next door is damaging for business. This will be detrimental to neighbouring businesses. This use is not compatible with the type of environment the council are proposing for the regeneration of the town centre. More focus needs to be put on rejuvenating the High Street. The high street suffers from a lack of quality shops. The high street is hostile and uninviting. Health There are enough takeaways in Dumbarton. This adds to the epidemic of obesity in Scotland. Healthy lifestyles should be encouraged not takeaways or vape shops. This encourages unhealthy food choices for those living in the area. Procedural concerns The site notice is not sufficient to ensure people are aware of the proposal. Notices sent by post did not reach all businesses. 5.3 The points raised in support of the proposal can be summarised as follows: Page 16
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Economic Impacts This opportunity would provide locals with more choice. Every business offers something unique, and healthy competition is good for the area. The premises is vacant and so using it encourages investment in the town centre. The proposal would create job opportunities. A well-managed takeaway can boost evening footfall and contribute positively to the local economy without disrupting existing businesses. A diverse High Street — even with some overlap in business type — is a sign of economic activity, not a problem to be prevented. There are numerous examples of similar or duplicate business types operating in and around Dumbarton High Street, his reflects the natural demand and commercial competition in a town centre. The proposal is for another small business. A new takeaway would add much-needed variety to Dumbarton’s High Street. The existence of multiple takeaways in the area is not unusual. Offering more choice can benefit the local economy by keeping residents shopping and eating locally rather than travelling to neighbouring towns or cities. Other points The takeaway will be operating at different hours from others nearby. The business will provide great service and food. 5.4 The points and concerns raised in the representations, both in support and in objection are considered in Section 7 below. 6. ASSESSMENT AGAINST THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) 6.1 Policy 1 aims to tackle the climate and nature crises by requiring that significant weight be given to these issues when considering all development proposals. Policy 2 relates to the climate in the form of climate mitigation and adaptation, while Policy 3 seeks to protect biodiversity, reverse biodiversity loss, and deliver positive effects from development and strengthen nature networks. Overall, the proposal re-uses an existing structure as part of the development and, as such, the embodied energy of the structure remains. No biodiversity matters arise. It is considered that the nature and small scale of development proposal would have a neutral effect in respect of Policies 1, 2 and 3. 6.2 Policy 7 seeks to protect and enhance historic environment assets and places. It advises that development proposals in or affecting conservation areas will only be supported where the character and appearance of the conservation area and its setting is preserved or enhanced. The application site is located in the Dumbarton Town Centre Conservation Area. It is considered that the character and appearance of the Conservation Area would not be adversely affected. 6.3 Policy 9 aims to facilitate the reuse of brownfield, vacant and derelict land and empty buildings, with criterion (d) noting that proposals for the reuse of existing Page 17
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buildings will be supported, taking into account their suitability for conversion to other uses. As the proposal would re-use a vacant unit this is supported by the Policy. 6.4 Policy 12 relates to waste and advises that development proposals, including commercial, will set out how much waste the proposal is expected to generate and how it will be managed. It is expected that the proposal would generate a level of waste commensurate with a hot food takeaway use. The application notes that the proposal will utilise the existing waste collection arrangements, which is acceptable. 6.5 Policy 14 aims to promote and facilitate well designed development that makes successful places by taking a design-led approach and applying the place principle. Criterion (d) states that proposals which are detrimental to the amenity of the surrounding area or inconsistent with the six qualities of successful places will not be supported. Policy 15 relates to local living and 20-minute neighbourhoods. The proposal complies with the above policies as the shop front remains unchanged, while a hot food takeaway in this location would contribute towards local living without significant adverse effects on local amenity, this issue is discussed in detail in Section 7 below. 6.6 Policy 23 aims to protect people and places from environmental harm, with criterion (e) advising that development proposals which are likely to raise unacceptable noise issues will not be supported. The proposal is considered acceptable with reference to this policy because, while a hot food takeaway would generate noise through additional traffic, car doors closing and customers talking outside, this would not constitute a significant increase beyond the existing position within the town centre and adjacent to a road. This issue is discussed further in Section 7 below. 6.7 Policy 27 advises that development proposals that enhance and improve the vitality and viability of city, town and local centres, including proposals that increase the mix of uses, will be supported. Criterion (b) notes that proposals will be consistent with the town centre first approach, with commercial uses supported in existing city, town and local centres. In addition, criterion (d) advises that proposals for non-retail uses, including hot food takeaways, will not be supported if further provision would undermine the character and amenity of the area or the area. The application site is located in defined town centre area and the proposed hot food takeaway is a Town Centre use which would contribute to the vitality of the Centre. As such, the proposal is supported by the Policy. 6.8 Having assessed the proposal with reference to NPF4, it is considered that the proposal accords with the policies, subject to conditions. West Dunbartonshire Adopted Local Plan 2010 6.9 Policy RET1 advises that new retail, commercial leisure, public service developments and other key town centre uses should adopt a sequential approach to change or use proposals, in the order of (1) Town Centre sites; (2) Edge of Town Centre sites; (3) Commercial Centre sites; (4) Out of centre sites. It is noted that the application unit is located in a Town Centre and the proposed hot food takeaway is a Town Centre use. In light of this, the proposal is supported. Page 18
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6.10 Policy RET5 seeks to improve the environment of the town centres including Dumbarton in partnership with other agencies. Applications for non-retail uses within the designated town centres particularly where they involve the re-use of vacant upper floors, will be favourably considered where they contribute to the vitality and viability of the town centre and do not conflict with other Local Plan policies. It is considered that an occupied unit contributes to the vitality and viability of the town centre and therefore the proposal is in accordance with the policy. 6.11 In accordance with Policy RET6, within the designated town centres the Council will seek to protect and enhance the retail and commercial function by encouraging the improvement of existing retail floorspace and supporting the establishment of new retail uses where appropriate. In the existing ground floor retail units along those core retail frontages there shall be a presumption against any change of use from Class 1 (as defined by the Use Classes (Scotland) Order 1997) to non-retail use. Applications for any change of use from a shop (Class 1 of the Use Classes Order) to a non-retail use will only be permitted provided it can be satisfactorily demonstrated that such a change would reinforce and revitalise the centre and would also not adversely affect the character and amenity of the area. Within the identified prime retail frontages existing non-retail uses can be retained. Since this plan was issued in 2018 the Use Class Order has been updated to amalgamate Class 1 and Class 2 uses into a combined Class 1A. Whilst not a Class 1A use, it is considered that the proposal reinforces and revitalises the town centre and does not adversely affect the character or amenity of the area. 6.12 Policy UR 1 promotes the re-use of buildings in the urban area that become vacant or underused in order to stimulate the process of urban renewal and thereby enhance the Plan area as a place to live, work and visit. Policy GD2 also encourages the redevelopment of underused and vacant land and buildings for appropriate uses. The application site has been vacant since February and as such is in accordance with the policies. 6.13 Policy GD1 seeks to ensure that all new development enhances the Plan area and environmental quality in general through an emphasis on high quality design. Proposals are required to meet a number of criteria, including the need to be appropriate to the local area in terms of land use and layout and design; be energy efficient and meet the roads, parking and access requirements of the Council. It is considered that the development is appropriate for the location and in addition no objections from consultees have been received. This issue is discussed further in Section 7 below. 6.14 Policy PS 4 requires the provision in all new development of facilities for the minimisation, separation and collection of different waste streams. The application notes that the existing waste separation and collection will be utilised, which is acceptable. 6.15 Policy BE1 aims to ensure that no works adversely affect the appearance and character of Conservation Areas. It is considered that the flue would not have a detrimental effect on the visual appearance of the building and the character of the wider Conservation Area. Page 19
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6.16 Having assessed the proposal with reference to the adopted Local Plan, it is considered that the proposal accords with the policies, subject to conditions. 7. ASSESSMENT AGAINST MATERIAL CONSIDERATIONS West Dunbartonshire Local Plan (LDP2) Proposed Plan 7.1 On 15 March 2023, the Planning Committee took a decision that the Council would not adopt Local Development Plan 2. The Proposed Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2), incorporating the recommended modifications of the Examination Report received on 22 April 2020, which were accepted by the Planning Committee of 19 August 2020, remains the Council’s most up to date spatial strategy and is therefore afforded significant weight in the assessment and determination of planning applications, subject to compatibility with NPF4. The Scottish Ministers’ Direction relating to the adoption of LDP2, dated 18 December 2020, is also a material consideration. 7.2 Dumbarton Policy supports a more diverse and vibrant Town Centre and encourages a range of uses within the Core Town Centre area where they accord with Policy SC2. It is considered that the increase in use classes consented within the Core Town Centre allows for increased diversity. 7.3 Policy SC1 states proposals for retail, commercial and leisure investment, and other key Town Centre uses, should align with the sequential approach below and the preferred uses set out in Table 5, over. Developments are directed sequentially to town centres in the first place. Policy SC2supports a range of different uses where they help to improve the vibrancy of the Town Centre within the town centre. All proposals should take account of the different uses detailed within Table 5 and will be supported where they accord with the following criteria: a) Do not negatively affect the vitality and viability of the Town Centre or the surrounding area, and Class 1 shops remain the predominant ground floor use within the core Town Centre; b) Provide added value in service provision, or meet a qualitative deficiency in service provision; c) Have substantial day to day contact with the public; d) Keep a full and attractive window display or appropriate ‘active frontage’ to the street; e) Do not result in an undesirable concentration of uses, or ‘dead frontages’; and f) Comply with the Supplementary Guidance on pay day lending and betting shops. Proposals associated with housing and Class 2 and 4 Office uses will be supported within the core Town Centre area where they result in vacant upper floors being brought back into use and/or where they accord with the relevant policies within this Plan. This issue is discussed further below and it is concluded that the proposal is in accordance with the policy. 7.4 Policy CP1 requires new development to take a design-led approach to creating sustainable places, which put the needs of people first and demonstrates the six qualities of successful places. With the potential for the proposal to affect other Page 20
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road users and pedestrian safety, impacting upon the operation of the transport and active travel network, the proposal cannot be held to support the six qualities of successful places and is therefore not considered acceptable with reference to this policy. No concerns are raised in regard to the six policies of successful places and as such the proposal is in accordance with the policy. 7.5 Policy H4 aims to protect, preserve and enhance the residential character and amenity of existing residential areas, including a presumption against the establishment of non-residential uses within, or in close proximity of residential areas, which would potentially be detrimental to local amenity, or which would cause unacceptable disturbance to local residents. Further to the detailed assessment set out below, it is considered that a hot food takeaway located in a Town Centre would not have significant adverse effects on amenity. The proposal therefore complies with the above Policy. 7.6 Policy ZW1 advising that all development requires to meet the aims of the Zero Waste Plan and follow the principles of the Waste Hierarchy. The proposal complies with the policy as the application indicates that the existing waste arrangements will be utilised. 7.7 Policy ENV8 states that development that would have a significant adverse impact on air quality, exacerbate existing air quality problems, or introduce sensitive receptors close to areas with air quality problems, will not be permitted unless adequate mitigation measures are included with the proposals. Policy ENV8 also states that all new development must ensure that significant adverse noise impacts on surrounding properties and uses are avoided. Conditions are proposed which ensure the proposal is in accordance with the policy. 7.8 Policy BE3 advises that development which would harm the character or appearance of a Conservation Area will not be permitted. As discussed in Section 7 below, the proposed flue on the rear elevation would not have a detrimental effect on the visual appearance of the building and the character of the wider Conservation Area. In light of this, the proposal complies with the policy. 7.9 Having assessed the proposal with reference to the proposed Local Development Plan 2, it is considered that the proposal accords with the policies, subject to conditions. Historic Environment Scotland’s Policy and Guidance 7.10 The Historic Environment Policy for Scotland seeks to ensure that changes to specific assets and their context are managed in a way that protects the historic environment. 7.11 Historic Environment Scotland’s Managing Change in the Historic Environment Guidance Note series provides advice and guidance to Planning Authorities determining applications which affect the historic environment, including in Conservation Areas. Given the minimal external changes and that these changes are located to the rear, it is considered that there will be no adverse impact upon the Conservation Area. Page 21
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Dumbarton Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal 7.12 Dumbarton Town Centre Conservation Area was designated on 11 October 2019. The Dumbarton Town Centre Conservation Area Proposal of 2019 noted that the High Street Character Area had retained much of its original form in terms of its solid frontage and retail designation. The lack of quality in shop frontages and signage is extremely detrimental to the character and townscape of Dumbarton. Many shopfronts and signage displays on High Street are constructed of non- traditional materials, and do not reflect the original proportions of traditional shopfronts. 7.13 The appraisal also notes that given the various periods of development evident in the Dumbarton Town Centre Conservation Area, there is a wide range of building materials used, not all of which fall under the category of “traditional”. Public realm finishes are stated to be tidy, albeit clinical. Given the limited alterations proposed as part of the application, it is considered that there will be no detrimental impact upon the Conservation Area. Principle of Development 7.14 The application site is located in a Town Centre and Core Town Centre as defined by both the Adopted Local Plan and proposed LDP2. Policy 27-part c of NPF4, which is the most up to date policy stance and takes primacy, states that development proposals for non-retail uses will not be supported in Town Centres, if further provision of these services will undermine the character and amenity of the area or the health and wellbeing of communities, particularly in disadvantaged areas. This includes hot food takeaways. 7.15 The adopted plan seeks to protect and enhance the retail and commercial function by encouraging the improvement of existing retail floorspace and supporting the establishment of new retail uses where appropriate within the core town centre. In the existing ground floor retail units along the core retail frontages there shall be a presumption against any change of use from Class 1 to non-retail use. Applications for any change of use from a shop to a non-retail use will only be permitted provided it can be satisfactorily demonstrated that such a change would reinforce and revitalise the centre and would also not adversely affect the character and amenity of the area. 7.16 The proposed plan supports a range of different uses where they help to improve the vibrancy of the Town Centre. All proposals should take account of the different uses detailed within Table 5 and will be supported where they accord with the criteria including: a) Do not negatively affect the vitality and viability of the Town Centre or the surrounding area, and Class 1 shops remain the predominant ground floor use within the core Town Centre; b) Provide added value in service provision, or meet a qualitative deficiency in service provision; c) Have substantial day to day contact with the public; d) Keep a full and attractive window display or appropriate ‘active frontage’ to the street; e) Do not result in an undesirable concentration of uses, or ‘dead frontages’. Page 22
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7.17 There are currently 62 units within the core town centre of Dumbarton as identified by the Town Centre Audit 2025. When the Town Centre Audit was undertaken earlier in 2025 there were 39 Class 1A uses that were occupied within the core town centre. Since then, one unit has had a permission for a change of use to a Class 11 - Assembly and leisure use implemented. At the time of the Audit there were seven vacant units. One of these units includes Glencairn House which is currently being re-development. Five of the vacant units have previously been Class 1A uses. This means that of the 62 units within the core town centre 43 are, or have the ability to be, Class 1A uses currently, which equates to 69% of the ground floor units being retail. With the removal of one unit from the available Class 1A units this would mean 68% of the ground floor units would remain within retail (Class 1A) uses. As such it is considered that Class 1A uses remain the predominant ground floor uses within the core town centre. With the proposal operating seven days a week it would have substantial day to day contact with the public. In addition, no changes are proposed by the application to the frontage of the building and as such an appropriate active frontage would remain. 7.18 In regard to part c of Policy 27, it is considered that given there is one hot food takeaway with the core town centre and six within the town centre as a whole that the addition of one further hot food takeaway would not constitute in an over provision. In addition, the distribution of the hot food takeaways within the Dumbarton Town Centre means there is no clustering of the uses. Policy 9 of NPF4 encourages the re-use of vacant buildings with policies UR1 and GD2 of the adopted plan echoing that aim. On balance, it is considered that the principle of the development is acceptable within the Town Centre. Design, Appearance and Visual Amenity 7.19 The only external alterations proposed by the application is an installation of a flue to the rear of the unit. Given the location of the flue to the rear, the projection of 1.5m above the roofline and the vantage points to view the flue from High Street it is considered that the flue would have minimal visual impact and no adverse impact upon the conservation area. There is a flue on the adjacent 74 High Street which the new flue is proposed to replicate in height and design. The location to the rear ensures there is little visibility from High Street. Whilst within the Conservation Area, the location within a modern building and limited visibility ensures that no concerns arise in this respect. It should be noted that application DC24/081/FUL which was granted by the Planning Committee covers this unit within the Artizan Centre and proposed shopfront works which were considered acceptable. Roads and parking 7.20 In considering the impact upon roads, traffic flow, parking and general road safety, the application site is situated within a central town centre location, accessible by a variety of transport options. Parking is available within town centre car parks and dedicated on-street parking bays are found on the opposite side of High Street from the premises. The assessment is principally guided by the consultation response from the Council’s Roads Service. The Council’s Roads Service provided no objection to the proposal subject to a condition relating to public utility prints to be reviewed prior to any excavation works being undertaken. Excavation works are not proposed by the application, however, works within the adopted Page 23
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footway would be a matter to be addressed by the Roads Service via separate legislation. No concerns have been raised in regard to traffic and parking issues and as such the proposal is not considered to have an adverse impact upon the traffic and parking of the town centre area. Residential Amenity 7.21 While it is accepted that the proposed use would generate noise through traffic, car doors opening/closing and customers talking outside etc, this would not result in a significant increase beyond the existing position, where the premises is already subject to a medium level of ambient noise due to its location in a Town Centre and adjacent to a road. It requires to be accepted that whilst those living within or adjacent to local shopping centres may benefit from the close proximity of services, they cannot expect the same level of quietude as a wholly residential area. With respect to odour and noise nuisance related to the proposed ventilation system, it is noted that the consultation response from Environmental Health raised no objection, subject to a condition relating to noise levels from the extraction system and requires the system to incorporate systems to reduce the emission of odours and pollutants. No concerns have been raised in regard to cooking odours, waste or seagulls by Environmental Health. As such, it is considered that the proposal would not have a significant adverse effect on residential amenity. Other Matters raised in representations. 7.22 With respect to the outstanding issues raised in the representations and not already assessed above, several representations supported the proposal because it would increase the range of takeaway options in the local area, while many of the objections noted that there is already sufficient provision of hot food takeaways in Dumbarton. While there is a role for planning in assessing the impact proposals would have on the vitality, viability, amenity and character of the local centre, the level of provision required to meet the demand for a particular use is a commercial matter and therefore not a material consideration in the assessment of planning applications. Whilst other hot food takeaways can be found nearby, a clustering of such uses does not occur. The presence of a Class 3 Café next door has also been highlighted and the impact the takeaway may have on it and surrounding businesses. The Planning system is not able to restrict competition, however the operating hours of the two businesses differ, as well as the use Class. The use not being compatible with the type of environmental improvements the Council are proposing for the regeneration of the town centre has also been raised in objection. The Council have applied for planning permission under application DC24/108/PPP which is still to be determined, however the proposal includes the sui generis use of hot food takeaways/public houses within the proposal description. 7.23 Concerns have also been raised that there is a lack of quality shops in Dumbarton. There are vacant units within the core town centre which would still allow for new shops to open. The type of food to be served and correlations between healthy lifestyle and obesity has been highlighted. The Planning Service has no control in regard to the menu on offer only the use as a hot food takeaway. “Vape” shops have also been highlighted in a number of objections. The proposal is not for a vape shop and should be noted that as the current use is as a Class 1A shop, this type of shop could open without planning permission. Page 24
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7.24 It is noted that concerns are raised with respect to anti-social behaviour. These concerns must be treated as speculative in nature as no evidence has been provided to support the view that such effects would worsen as a direct result of the proposal. 7.25 Procedural matters regarding a site notice not being sufficient to make people aware of the planning application are raised. In addition to the requirement for the site notice, which was displayed on site, the application was also advertised in the Lennox Herald on 19.06.2025 and neighbour notification undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedures) (Scotland) Order 2013. Whilst the concerns regarding neighbour notifications not reaching all affected addresses, businesses, the service can confirm that all properties within 20m of the application site were issued a neighbour notification in accordance with the Regulations. 7.26 Finally, it is noted that some of the representations in support of the proposal highlight its economic benefits, including job creation. While it is considered that the proposal would generate a limited degree of economic activity in the area, this is not considered to be a determining factor in this instance. 8. CONCLUSION 8.1 The application site is located within a Town Centre where the proposed use is supported in principle. There are limited external alterations being proposed by the application with these limited to a flue to the rear elevation. Following consideration of the proposal and informed by the consultation responses from the Council’s Environmental Health Service and Roads Service, it is concluded that, subject to conditions addressing, the proposal is in accordance with policies set out in National Planning Framework 4. 8.2 Overall, the proposal will bring a vacant unit within the town centre into use which will in turn increase footfall to the benefit of the vitality and viability of the town centre. The proposed use is also expected to operate primarily in the evening, and this will contribute to the night-time economy within the town centre. Whilst the abjections received are acknowledged, there are no material planning considerations that suggest that planning permission should be refused. 9. CONDITIONS 1. That unless otherwise first agreed in writing and prior to the commencement of any development on site, a detailed specification in respect of the collection, treatment and disposal of cooking odours and pollutants be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. For the avoidance of doubt, the system shall utilise the high-level discharge flue hereby approved. Reason: To ensure that the development does not adversely affect the amenity of neighbouring properties by creating excessive noise, vibration, or odour nuisance. 2. Any system for discharging cooking odours approved under condition 1 shall be fully implemented inclusive of high-level discharge flue in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority prior to Page 25
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the commencement of the use hereby permitted. It shall then be retained on site as approved, inclusive of high level discharge flue, and fully maintained to remain in full and effective working order and suitable at all times thereafter for the food types / cooking methods being undertaken at any time during the lifetime of the use, to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority. Reason: To ensure that the development does not adversely affect the amenity of neighbouring properties by creating excessive odour nuisance. 3. Prior to the commencement of works on site, full details of how the extract ventilation system will be suitably insulated or isolated to minimise noise and vibration transmission to the building structure shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. Works shall then proceed as approved and be retained as approved at all times thereafter during the lifetime of the use to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority, unless otherwise first agreed in writing by the Planning Authority. Reason: To ensure that the development does not adversely affect the amenity of neighbouring properties by creating excessive noise or vibration nuisance. 4. Noise from either within the hot food takeaway premises or the ventilation system hereby permitted shall not give rise to a noise level within any dwelling or other noise sensitive building assessed with the windows open in excess of the equivalent to Noise Rating Curve 35, between 07:00 and 20:00 hours, and Noise Rating Curve 25 at all other times, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Planning Authority. On completion of development and commencement of the use hereby permitted, the applicant or operator of the premises shall have a third-party independent verifier submit a verification report to demonstrate compliance with the requirements set out above, to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority. Reason: To ensure that the development does not adversely affect the amenity of neighbouring properties by creating excessive noise or vibration. 5. Details for the storage and the collection of waste arising from the proposed development shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. The agreed details shall be in place prior to the development being brought into use and thereafter be maintained and operated on site as approved at all times during the lifetime of the use. Reason: To safeguard public health and to protect the amenity of the surrounding area 6. During the period of construction, all works and ancillary operations (including deliveries) which are audible at the site boundary, shall be carried out between the following hours unless otherwise approved in writing by the Planning Authority: Mondays to Fridays: 0800-1800 Saturday: 0800-1300 Sundays and public holidays: No working Page 26
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Reason: To ensure that the development does not adversely affect the amenity of neighbouring properties by creating excessive noise and disturbance at unsocial hours. 7. That should the external discharge flue become redundant in the future, it shall be removed within 3 months of becoming redundant to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority. Reason: To ensure the removal of the redundant flue in the interests of visual amenity. Michael Mulgrew Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager Date: 10th September 2025 Person to Contact: Michael Mulgrew, Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager Email: Michael.Mulgrew@west-dunbarton.gov.uk James McColl, Development Management Team Leader Email: James.McColl@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendix: Location Plan Background Papers: 1. Application forms and plans 2. Representations 3. Consultation responses 4. National Planning Framework 4 5. West Dunbartonshire Local Plan 2010 6. Proposed West Dunbartonshire Local Development Plan 2 2020, as amended 7. Historic Environment Policy for Scotland 9. Dumbarton Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal Wards affected: Ward 3 (Dumbarton) Page 27
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ITEM 6 - APPENDIX 1 Page 28
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by the Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager Planning Committee: 10th September 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Subject: Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement 2025 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek approval of the 2025 Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement in relation to a new Local Development Plan (LDP3). 2. Recommendation 2.1 It is recommended that Planning Committee approves the 2025 Development Plan Scheme (DPS) and Participation Statement, as set out in Appendix 1. Once approved, the DPS and Participation Statement will be submitted to Scottish Ministers and published on the Council’s website. 3. Background 3.1 The development planning system in Scotland has changed with the introduction of the development planning provisions of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019. The Development Plan Scheme is produced annually and acts as a communication tool for letting stakeholders know when and how they can get involved in the local development plan. It sets out the timetable for the preparation of the local development plan and what is involved at each stage of the process. The Participation Statement section of the document sets out how stakeholders are to be involved in the preparation of the local development plan. The Statement should include targeted methods to reach under-represented groups, help to make public participation inclusive, ensure that wider public engagement directly feeds into the preparation of the local development plan, and promote proactive engagement at all stages of the plan’s preparation. 4. Main Issues Development Plan Scheme 4.1 The previous Development Plan Scheme, containing the Participation Statement, was approved by Planning Committee on the 11 December 2024. Appendix 1 contains the updated Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement for 2025. . ITEM 7 Page 29
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4.2 The most significant change to the updated Development Plan Scheme is the expected timescales for each stage of plan preparation and adoption of the plan. The updated scheme incorporates an additional twelve months to prepare the Evidence Report and consequential delay to later stages. Unfortunately, since the approval of the 2024 Development Plan Scheme, it has not been possible to meet the previous estimated date for Gate Check due to the scale and complexity of the work required to ensure it is robust. The table below shows the key milestones of plan preparation, the timetable in the previous and updated development plan schemes. Key LDP3 Milestones Previous Estimated Dates Updated latest Estimated Dates Publication of Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement Quarter 3, 2024/25 (December 2024) Quarter 2, 2025/26 (September 2025) Publication of Evidence Report and submission for Gate Check Quarter 1, 2025/26 (June 2025) Quarter 1, 2026/27 (June 2026) Call for Sites and Ideas N/A Quarter 2 2026/27 (August 2026) Publication of Proposed Plan and Draft Delivery Programme for consultation Quarter 2, 2026/27 (June 2026) Quarter 1, 2027/28 (June 2027) Submission of Proposed Plan to the Scottish Ministers for Examination Quarter 1, 2027/28 (March 2027) Quarter 4, 2027/28 (February 2028) Expected adoption of Local Development Plan Quarter 24, 2027/28 (January 2028) Quarter 3, 2028/29 (December 2028) 4.3 The change to the timetable allows further time to prepare the evidence report, however it is possible that estimated dates for later stages in the plan preparation process could be brought forward. The majority of the Development Plan Scheme remains unchanged as it still serves its purpose in explaining the development plan process. 4.4 The additional time is required to ensure that the evidence report is robust and to carry out further consultation with key stakeholders. The additional time is also required due a workload pressure within the Development Planning Team due to staff resource constraints. Since the approval of the 2024 Development Plan Scheme, a Principal Officer is now in post to lead on the preparation of the Plan. This will ease the resource constraints focus the teams resources to the revised timetable. 4.5 The amendments to the programme delays the date of anticipated adoption of LDP3 from April 2028 to December 2028. The anticipated date of adoption does go beyond the required 5 year period of the publishing of the regulations, i.e. May 2028, however it is fundamental that the timetable is revised to Page 30
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ensure that the LDP3 spatial strategy and policy framework is informed by robust evidence to allow for approval at the Gate Check stage. Participation Statement 4.6 The Participation Statement has been updated to state the engagement the Development Planning and Place team has undertaken so far. No other changes have been proposed to future activities or engagement types. Key actions include: Undertaking an evidence audit and engaging stakeholders through a Call for Evidence consultation. Carrying out a Place Standard survey to enable communities to provide feedback about places they live, work and visit. Publication of an Easy Read Guide to preparing local place plans. 4.7 The following actions are ongoing to engage stakeholders: Analysing the results of the Call for Evidence and Tell Us About Your Place consultations. The results will be published in due course. Following up internal and external stakeholders for further discussions about evidence. Engaging children and young people. Engaging with the gypsy/traveller's communities. Local Place Plans 4.8 The invitation to prepare Local Place Plans was issued to organisations and individuals in the Local Development Plan participant database on 16 October 2023. A public notice was also placed in the Clydebank Post and Lennox Herald on 25 October and 31 October 2023 respectively. A Local Place Plan webpage has also been created at https://www.west- dunbarton.gov.uk/council/key-council-documents/local-development- planning/local-place-plans. 4.9 To date, Old Kilpatrick Community Council, Alexandria Community Council and Balloch and Haldane Community Council have expressed an interest in preparing a Local Place Plan. Previous community engagement with Dumbarton East also indicated interest in preparing a Local Place Plan. In addition, Dumbarton West (via the Corra Foundation) also indicated interest. Kilmaronock Community Council has produced a draft Local Place Plan in response to the National Park Authority invitation to prepare Local Place Plans, and this has been validated by the National Park Authority. The Kilmaronock Local Place Plan does not contain proposals relating to West Dunbartonshire Council’s Planning Authority, and the Community Council have not requested that it be validated by the Council; the Local Place Plan has been shared with other Council services for noting. Page 31
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4.10 Although they can be prepared at any time prior to the preparation of the Proposed Plan, West Dunbartonshire Council has advised that Local Place Plans should be submitted to the Council for validation by the end of June 2026. This will allow the Local Place Plans to be taken into account in the preparation of the new Local Development Plan. 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no people implications associated with this report. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 There are no financial or procurement implications associated with this report. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 By finalising the 2025 Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement and submitting it to the Scottish Ministers, the Council is meeting its statutory requirements and setting out its timeline for preparing a new Local Development Plan. Not having an up-to-date local development plan may have an impact on planning decisions taken by the Council and could result in appeal decisions being upheld. The adopted Local Plan is over 15 years old and Local Development Plan 1 and Local Development Plan 2 have not been adopted. 7.2 The proposed timeline also allows the authority to comply with the terms of the Local Development Planning Guidance (2023) as closely as possible. The guidance sets out the Scottish Government’s expectation that ‘new style’ Development Plans are in place within 5 years of the adoption of the regulations. It is also a requirement of Section 16(1)(a) of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 to as soon as practicable to prepare a Local Development Plan(s) for all parts of the district. Failure to comply with Section 16 (1)(a) may result in Scottish Ministers directing the authority to submit a report to them as to the reasons for such failure. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 The Equality Impact Assessments for the Development Plan Scheme/Participation Statement and the Council’s approach to Local Place plans were reported to the Planning Committee dated 20 September 2023. 9. Consultation 9.1 Regulations require communities to have input to the Participation Statement. This update contains no changes to the engagement methods, or groups to be engaged, so no additional consultation was required. However, the Participation Statement does provide updates as to what engagement has taken place, and what has still to be undertaken. 10. Strategic Assessment Page 32
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10.1 The new Local Development is considered to be relevant to, and will help deliver, all of the Council’s strategic priorities: Our Communities – Resilient and Thriving Our Environment – A Greener Future Our Economy – Strong and Flourishing Our Council – Inclusive and Adaptable Michael Mulgrew Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager Date: 10 September 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Person to Contact: Michael Mulgrew, Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager, Michael.mulgrew@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Clare Laurenson, Principal Officer Development Planning & Place clare.laurenson@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: Appendix 1: Finalised 2025 Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement Background Papers: None Wards Affected: All Page 33
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West Dunbartonshire Local Development Plan (LDP3) Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement 2025 ITEM 7 - APPENDIX 1 Page 34
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CONTENTS Introduction 1 Current Local Development Plan Status 2 Local Development Plan 3 4 Participation Statement 11 Page 35
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INTRODUCTION The development plan scheme sets out what development plans are currently in place in West Dunbartonshire and provides an estimated timeline for the preparation of a new local development plan for the West Dunbartonshire planning authority area. It includes a participation statement which sets out how the planning authority (part of the Council) will involve communities and stakeholders in the preparation of the new Local Development Plan. What is the development plan? The purpose of a development plan is to manage development and the use of land. A development plan is a statutory plan used by local planning authorities to make decisions about what development takes in place and how land us used in the authority area. There are two main parts of the Development Plan. The first is the National Planning Framework. This is prepared by The Scottish Government, who formally adopted the Fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) in February 2023. NPF4 sets a National Spatial Strategy for Scotland to 2045 identifying areas and types of development that are of national importance (National Developments) along with regional spatial priorities for five broad regions of Scotland. It also contains a set of policies used by planning authorities to make planning decisions (National Planning Policy).i The second part of the Development Plan is the Local Development Plan, prepared by planning authorities. A Local Development Plan sets out how places will change, importantly identifying where and what development should and should not happen. It is a more detailed and specific plan for a local area which identifies infrastructure needs, allocates land for development, or for protection from inappropriate development. Local Development Plans can also contain policies which add greater detail or local context to policies in NPF4 or to address issues not addressed by NPF4. Page 36
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CURRENT LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN STATUS Current Development Plans and Planning Guidance covering West Dunbartonshire The West Dunbartonshire Council area is covered by two different planning authorities. The West Dunbartonshire Council Planning Authority area covers all of West Dunbartonshire except for the area within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, for which the Park Authority is the planning authority (see Figure 1). The Park Authority prepares its own Local Development Plan and Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement. ii Figure 1: Local Development Plan areas in West Dunbartonshire Page 37
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West Dunbartonshire’s Development Plan consists of NPF4 and the West Dunbartonshire Local Plan (2010). In addition, the Council also uses the Proposed West Dunbartonshire Local Development Plan (2020, as modified) as a material consideration in planning decisions, but as it was not adopted it is not a part of the statutory Development Plan. The Council has a number of planning guidance documents relating to specific topics or places. These do not form part of the development plan but do form part of the decision-making process for planning applications when relevant. A list of current planning guidance documents is set out in Appendix 1. West Dunbartonshire Council’s current development plan and planning guidance documents can be viewed on the Council’s website. iii Page 38
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LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 3 The Council has commenced preparation of a new Local Development Plan (LDP3). LDP3 will be a ‘new style’ Local Development Plan, with a 10-year plan period. Following changes introduced by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, LDP3 will look different to previous local development plans. It will concentrate on place, put people and communities at the centre of its preparation and its content, and be more delivery focused. The plan preparation process will also be different. The National Planning Framework (NPF4) now contains the detailed policy framework that was previously set out in old style local development plans. New style local development plans are expected to be place-based, people-centred and delivery- focused, hence the move from a 5-year plan period to a 10-year plan period. With regard to format, this means that local development plans are expected to be place-based, visual plans with the inclusion of a clear spatial strategy, and a collection of maps, development briefs and masterplans, instead of lengthy written text and policy. Plans are to be prepared collaboratively with communities and other stakeholders, with people with protected characteristics given particular support to engage in the plan preparation process. The preparation of the new Plan will follow statutory processes set out in the 2019 Planning Act and associated Regulations and Guidance. The key stages are: Development Plan Scheme including Participation Statement – this document is produced annually and acts as a communication tool for letting stakeholders know when and how they can get involved in the local development plan process keep them informed of progress. It sets out the timetable for the preparation of the local development plan and what is involved at each stage of the process. The Participation Statement part of the document sets out how stakeholders are to be involved in the preparation of the local development plan. It is to include targeted methods to reach under- represented groups, help to make public participation inclusive, ensure that wider public engagement directly feeds into the preparation of the local development plan, and promote proactive engagement at all stages of the plan’s preparation. Evidence Report – the purpose of the Evidence Report is to support the quality and effectiveness of the Local Development Plan. Its aim is to gather and use evidence to clearly inform what to plan for before the Proposed Plan looks at where development should take place. Stakeholders’ views are to be sought when preparing the Evidence Report. Page 39
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Gate Check – the assessment of the Evidence Report by a Directorate and Environmental Appeals Reporter is known as the Gate Check. The Reporter can decide that there is sufficient information, and the planning authority can move to prepare its Proposed Plan, or the Reporter may consider there is not sufficient information and provide recommendations for improving the Evidence Report. The Gate Check also provides an opportunity for the Reporter to consider and attempt to resolve disputes that may exist about the evidence submitted. The aim of the Gate Check is to reduce the level of debate at the Examination stage of the plan preparation process and make for a better evidence-led plan. Proposed Plan – the Proposed Plan identifies where new development should take place and where it should not and articulates the ambitions and priorities for the future development of the Plan area. The preparation of the Proposed Plan is to be informed by community engagement and a wide range of other policy and strategy documents. The Proposed Plan is published for consultation. It is at this stage that representations can be submitted on the specific topics and proposals of the plan, for example on green belt, built heritage and proposed development sites. Proposed Plans can be modified following the consultation stage. Delivery Programme – the Delivery Programme sets out how an authority proposes to implement its Local Development Plan. A proposed Delivery Programme must be published with the Proposed Plan. The Delivery Programme is a corporate document, which can influence the authority’s financial investments, and support delivery of the Plan’s policies and proposals to achieve Council priorities. It is to be reviewed and renewed at least every two years. Examination – the Examination is the opportunity for independent consideration on any issues raised during the formal consultation on the Proposed Plan that have not been resolved through modifications. The Examination will be undertaken by a Reporter from the Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals. The Examination will consider unresolved issues following consultation on the Proposed Plan and also the consultation and involvement of the public in the preparation of the Plan. Following the Examination, the Reporter will prepare a report setting out reasons for their conclusions and recommendations, including modifications to the Plan. Adoption – adoption is the final stage in the preparation of the Plan and occurs after the Council has received and considered the Examination report and any recommendations and modifications it proposes. The estimated timetable for the preparation of the new Local Development Plan is set out below. Legislation requires for this to be set out in financial year quarters, but the Council has included estimated months to ease understanding of the timetable. This timetable differs from last year's Development Plan Scheme and allows for an extra 6 months for the Page 40
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publication of the Evidence Report and Submission to allow for further preparation time. The estimated timetable for the preparation of Local Development Plan 3 is set out in Table 1 below. Legislation requires this to be set out in financial year quarters, being: Quarter 1: April-June Quarter 2: July-September Quarter 3: October-December Quarter 4: January to March Table 1 also includes estimated months to ease understanding of the timetable. This timetable differs from last year’s Development Plan Scheme and allows for an extra 6 months for the publication of the Evidence Report and Submission to allow for further preparation time. Table 1: Local Development Plan (LDP3) timetable Key LDP3 Milestones Estimated latest date Publication of Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement Quarter 2, 2025/26 (September 2025) Publication of Evidence Report and submission for Gate Check Quarter 1, 2026/27 (June 2026) Call for Sites and Ideas Quarter 2 2026/27 (August 2026) Publication of Proposed Plan and Draft Delivery Programme for consultation Quarter 1, 2027/28 (June 2027) Submission of Proposed Plan to the Scottish Ministers for Examination Quarter 4, 2027/28 (February 2028) Expected adoption of Local Development Plan Quarter 3, 2028/29 (December 2028) Page 41
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Supporting Information The preparation of the new Local Development Plan will be supported and informed by a number of assessment documents that will be concurrently prepared. These are: Equalities Impact Assessment - The public sector equality duty stems from the Equality Act 2010 and places a duty on all public authorities to: eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relationships with people who share protected characteristics and those who do not. This assessment will outline how the council will meet this duty through the preparation and content of the Local Development Plan. Protected characteristics are age, disability, gender reassignment, sex (including pregnancy and maternity), race, religion and belief, and sexual orientation. The Equalities Impact Assessment will help the Council consider the effects of the plans proposals on different groups and meet the public sector equality duty. The assessment will also consider the potential effects on human rights. Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment - The Fairer Scotland Duty aims to ensure the public sector makes policy decisions to deliver fairer socio-economic outcomes. This assessment will help the council make a plan which contributes to reducing socio-economic inequality and deprivation. Strategic Environmental Assessment - The Strategic Environmental Assessment is a requirement of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. Its purpose is to help the Council understand the potential environmental impacts of the plan and take steps to avoid, mitigate or reduce significant adverse environmental effects, where possible, or enhance positive ones. This will also help the Council to understand the environmental context of the area and consider how the plan can achieve better environmental outcomes. Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment - The Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment will help the council consider the plans effect on the rights and wellbeing of children and whether they are protected and advanced. Habitat Regulations Appraisal - The Habitat Regulation Appraisal is a requirement of The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. Its purpose is to identify if the plan will be capable of having adverse effects on European sites, alone, or in combination with other plans. This will help the council identify impacts on internationally important habitat and take steps to avoid these impacts. Page 42
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Other Plans, Guidance and Strategies The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced the requirement for a number of other plan and strategy documents to inform and improve the planning system in Scotland. These are: Local Place Plans – these are community-led plans focused on the development and use of land in the area covered by the Plan. West Dunbartonshire Council have issued an invitation to communities to prepare Local Place Plans and set out what assistance the Council can offer with their preparation. Once prepared, the Council will validate Local Place Plans prepared in accordance with the 2019 Planning Act, and take them into consideration when preparing Local Development Plan 3. Additional information on Local Place Plans and an ‘Easy Read’ guide can be found at: https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/council/key-council-documents/local-development-planning/local-place-plans/. Regional Spatial Strategies – these are to be produced by a planning authority, or jointly by a group of planning authorities, and will set out a long-term spatial strategy in respect of the strategic development of the area it covers. The West Dunbartonshire planning authority area is likely to be included within a Regional Spatial Strategy covering the Glasgow City-Region area. Page 43
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Local Place Plans and Regional Spatial Strategies will not be part of the Development Plan but will inform the content of the Local Development Plan. Planning Guidance – The Council may prepare non-statutory planning guidance to provide additional and detailed guidance on certain matters, for example on a specific topic or relating to a specific place. Open Space Strategy – planning authorities are required to prepare a strategy setting out a strategic framework of policies and proposals for the development, maintenance and use of green infrastructure, including open spaces and green networks. The strategy is to contain an audit of existing open space provision and an assessment of current and future requirements. The Council will consult on the findings of its audit and the Open Space Strategy. Page 44
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Play Sufficiency Assessment – planning authorities are required to assess the sufficiency of play opportunities for children in preparing the Evidence Report for the Local Development Plan. The Council will consult on its Play Sufficiency Assessment.1 1 (As of 2025, the Council has completed an audit of open spaces and is currently analysing the results. This information will be used to prepare the Open Space Strategy and Play Sufficiency Assessment.) Page 45
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PARTICIPATION STATEMENT Engagement The Scottish Government intends the preparation of the Local Development Plan to be a collaborative process. Local Development Plans are expected to be place based, people centred and delivery focused. The involvement of all stakeholders within the planning process will be required to achieve this, including: local communities’ services within the Council’ service providers, infrastructure providers and government agencies outside of the council (sometimes referred to as Key Agencies)’ businesses and other organisations; and developers and land and property owners. The Participation Statement sets out how we will achieve this by identifying who we will involve, how we will keep them informed, how they will be included, what methods we will use to include people, and when engagement will take place. Who we will involve Legislation requires planning authorities to involve the public at large in preparing a Local Development Plan, however there are also specific groups that planning authorities need to include, which are: children and young people people with disabilities Gypsies and Travellers Community Councils There are other groups that guidance states should be given support to engage with the Local Development Plan process including people with protected, as well as people from a range of socio-economic background. Page 46
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Children and Young People There will be three main ways we will include children and young people (under the age of 25). We will seek to engage with: the Youth Parliament Representatives for the West Dunbartonshire Planning Area; the West Dunbartonshire Youth Council; and schools (including early education, primary, secondary, and special needs schools). We will also reach out to known youth groups in the area and ask if they are interested in engaging in the Local Development Plan process. People with disabilities There are a number of existing disability groups known to the Council that we will reach out to and request their input to the Local Development Plan process. We will also consider the barriers to engaging with people with disabilities and how to overcome them, to provide opportunities to fully engage. This will include providing information in an accessible format. Gypsy/Travellers Communities We will approach existing contacts we have for Gypsy and Traveller communities to discuss their needs. Community Councils We will use existing channels of communications to contact active community councils. In areas where there are no active Community Council’s we will seek the views of other active community groups in these areas. Page 47
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How we will keep you informed We will keep the public up to date by publishing regular updates on the plan preparation milestones listed in the Local Development Plan Scheme. Updates will be published to the Council website, posted on social media, and circulated via a newsletter for those who wish to sign up to this. Some stages of plan preparation require us to advertise in local newspapers, including inviting communities to make Local Place Plans publishing the Proposed Local Development Plan advertise the examination of the Local Development Plan publishing a report of modifications to the Plan the adoption of the Local Development Plan We will make key documents available in libraries at the appropriate times, including the Evidence Report and Proposed Local Development Plan. How we will involve and collaborate with you We will use a variety of methods to engage with specific groups as well as the public at large. We will hold public consultations to collect ideas for and views on proposals within the Local Development Plan, using online survey tools and public events. A survey of the Citizens Panel will collect information about places across West Dunbartonshire. Information about the Citizen’s Panel, including how to get involved, can be found here: Citizens Panel West Dunbartonshire Council (west-dunbarton.gov.uk) We will hold a ‘Call for Ideas’ consultation for communities, developers and landowners to identify sites for development and preservation, as well as other proposals for inclusion in the Local Development Plan. We will work directly with Community Councils and other local community groups to identify key issues and opportunities for their local area, and to work together on development briefs and masterplans. One of the most direct ways communities can influence the plan is by making a Local Place Plan. We have invited communities to make Local Place Plans and we will support communities with this process. The contents of Local Place Page 48
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Plans are decided by their community, and once completed and validated are considered when preparing the Local Development Plan. Specific Engagement to inform the Proposed Plan – Call for Ideas and Sites We intend to undertake a ‘Call for Ideas and Sites’ exercise soon after the Gate Check stage. We will also consult stakeholders and the general public on any ideas and sites that are submitted to the Council for consideration. Undertaking a call for ideas and sites exercise after the Gate Check will allow stakeholder views and ideas to be informed by the evidence around what is to be planned for, and to provide detail to support the achievement of the strategic thinking on the authority’s preferred spatial strategy. Any call for ideas is expected to be open to everyone to propose ideas for any aspect of the plan and not limited specifically to suggestions for development sites or types of development e.g. housing. Proposals submitted at the call for ideas and sites stage should support the preparation of the spatial strategy within the Proposed Plan. The tools, materials, and methods we will use to involve you A variety of tools and materials will be used to reach as many people as possible and to reduce barriers to participation as far as possible. The Proposed Plan and associated information will be provided in accessible formats. This will include information published online and in physical information left in public places. We will collect ideas and views using the Councils online survey platform ‘Survey 123’. We will use the Place Standard tool where relevant to help us to collect and focus views about a place. The Place Standard asks people to score and provide commentary about different aspects of a place, such as where they live or work. This includes questions about green space, traffic and parking, access to services, and influence over decisions in their place. This will help us to identify the strengths and weaknesses of places in West Dunbartonshire. The tool will be used in a variety of formats, including: in online surveys; at meetings with specific groups, community councils, and community organisations; and at consultation events. Different versions of the tool will be used in specific context, such as the version for children and young people. Communities making local place plans will be encouraged to make use of the tool. More information on the tool can be found here: https://www.ourplace.scot/ The table below sets out the different stages of the Local Development Plan and, in more detail, the engagement activity that will be undertaken at each future stage, and a summary of the engagement activity to date. It has been informed by the Scottish Page 49
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Government consultation draft guidance on ‘Effective Community Engagement in Local Development Planning’ (May 2023) and is based on the following levels of engagement: inform; consult; involve; collaborate; and empower. Table 2: Local Development Plan (LDP3) engagement activity Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2025 Inform participants (existing and potential) of the publication of the annual Development Plan Scheme Participation Statement. Post Planning Committee approval Development Plan Scheme Publication of Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement Updated annually Publish document on the Council website and make copies of the document available in the Council headquarters and libraries. Include survey questions within document seeking views on format of document and participation techniques. It is intended to publish the 2025 Development Plan Scheme /Participation Statement in September 2025. It will be published online, emailed to registered participants and made available in local libraries. Publish survey/form to allow people and organisations to register their interest in the Local Development Plan process. Ongoing. A survey/form to allow people/organisations to register interest in the Local Development Plan has been published and remains live on the Council’s website. Evidence Gathering - early engagement and data collection Early engagement Page 50
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Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2025 Meet with Community Councils and other community groups to encourage participation in the Local Development Plan process. Engage with local anchor organisations to fill gaps where there are no community councils or other community organisations currently running. Ongoing. Meetings have been held with 4 community councils (Bonhill and Dalmonach, Dumbarton East and Central, Linnvale and Drumry, and Old Kilpatrick) and community representatives in Dumbarton West. Engage with youth organisations and representatives on the best way to engage children and young people in the Local Development Plan process Ongoing. Meetings have been held with staff within the Communities team to explore the best way of engaging with children and young people. Engage with disability and carers community groups on the best ways to enable participation Meetings have been held with the Council’s Performance and Strategy team to identify appropriate groups to engage with. Page 51
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Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2025 Engage Gypsies and Travellers groups on best ways to enable participation. Meeting held with the Dennystoun Forge residents’ group. Contact known community groups/organisations (including those of protected characteristics) and West Dunbartonshire CVS to invite expression of interest in taking part in plan preparation, and for views on how to engage. Ongoing. Inform other Council services and Key Agencies of the proposed Local Development Plan timeline. Ongoing. Inform participants in previous Local Development Plan process of new process and encourage registration and participation. Create online form to enable registration. LDP2 participants informed of new LDP3 process and encouraged to register their interest. Online registration form created. Evidence Gathering - early engagement and data collection Issue invite to participate in Local Development Plan process September 2023 (ongoing) Establish new Local Development Plan participant database. Participants registered as at September 2025 and database is live. Inform community organisations that they are invited to prepare a Ongoing. Invitation to prepare a Local Place Plan issued on 16 Evidence Gathering - Invite communities September 2023 (ongoing) Page 52
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Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2025 Local Place Plan, as means to involve communities in the preparation of the Local Development Plan. Empower communities to decide on the content of their Local Place Plans. October 2023 to community councils, other community groups and local residents on the participant database. Publish invitation to prepare Local Place Plans on the Council website and social media. Place posters in public buildings. Send direct invitation to groups who may have an interest in preparing a Local Place Plan and promote through West Dunbartonshire CVS. Invitation issued on 16 October 2023, on Council webpage, by email to registered community groups and promoted on X. Advise community organisations of the type of Council support that will be available to them to prepare Local Place Plans. Ongoing. Invitation and webpage advises of support available. Update issued August 2025. early engagement and data collection to prepare Local Place Plans and support their preparation Meet with Community Councils and other community organisations to encourage preparation of Local Place Plans. As at September 2025, Old Kilpatrick Community Council, Balloch and Haldane Community Council, Alexandria Community Council are known Page 53
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Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2025 to be preparing a Local Place Plan. The community in Dumbarton West have previously expressed an interest in preparing a local place plan. Involve participants in the creation of the Evidence Report. Inform participants on how their views were sought and taken into account. Ongoing. Issue a ‘Call for Evidence’ in relation to a range of relevant topics. Where appropriate publish topic papers to support the process of gathering evidence, identifying gaps in evidence, and areas on consensus/difference. If appropriate, form focus groups to inform this process. An audit of available evidence and identified gaps in evidence has been published. A Call for Evidence consultation took place between 8th July to 30th of September 2024 for stakeholders and local communities to provide further information and evidence. 58 responses were received. The outcome of the call for evidence will be published in due course. Incorporate results of previous engagement exercises where relevant (e.g. Citizens Panel Ongoing. Evidence Gathering - early engagement and data collection Preparation of Evidence Report Ongoing >June 2026 Page 54
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Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2025 responses, previous planning consultations). Undertake Place Standard consultations to assess place quality and collect ideas for improvement. Distribute to general public online through website and social media. If possible, distribute to Citizens Panel. If requested, hold in-person sessions with community groups. A Place Standard consultation, titled, Tell us About Your Place took place between 8th July to 30th of September 2024. 89 responses were received. Both Tell Us About your place and Call For Evidence consultations were circulated to the Citizens Panel, promoted via social media, press releases, posters, leaflets and email circulation. Three drop in events were held in Clydebank, Alexandria, and Dumbarton. Results of the consultation will be published in due course. Ongoing. Approximately a quarter of Tell Us About Your Place respondents declared a disability. The Planning team promoted the consultation at the Council’s Equalities Forum. Page 55
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Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2025 Engage with children and young people through schools, Youth Council, Youth Parliament, and other young people's organisations. Use children’s/young persons’ versions of Place Standard Tool, where possible, and if this is supported by young persons’ groups. Ongoing. An engagement plan is in place. A meeting with the Youth Advisory Board has taken place with a further meeting planned. Engagement events with school pupils are being organised with several schools in West Dunbartonshire. Engage people with disabilities, older people and carers through already established groups to identify issues for the Plan and to check and gather evidence. Ongoing. Engage with the Dennystoun Forge resident’s group to gather evidence on the requirement for improved/ additional permanent Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in West Dunbartonshire. Use Housing Services officer to liaise with transient Gypsy and Traveller groups. Discussions ongoing with Dennystoun Forge residents with assistance from Housing services. Page 56
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Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2025 Seek evidence from Key and Government Agencies, city-region organisations, Health and Social Care Partnership. Key Agencies, city region organisations, and Health and Social Care Partnership were engaged through the call for Evidence. Joint working will continue as evidence report is prepared. Seek evidence from business and developer stakeholders through umbrella organisations such as Homes for Scotland, Scottish Property Federation and Chamber of Commerce, and also with individual businesses/developers where requested. Homes for Scotland and individual development interests responded to the Call for Evidence consultation. Engagement with other organisations is ongoing. Undertake a collaborative approach to developing site assessment methodology with input from Key Agencies, development industry and communities. Homes for Scotland and some Key Agencies have provided views on site assessment methodologies. Production of a methodology is ongoing, Seek evidence from local interest groups for example local built/natural heritage groups, A number of local interest groups provided responses to the Call for Evidence. The Planning team is also involved Page 57
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Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2025 equestrian groups, ramblers/walkers. with the Councils Biodiversity Partnership. Inform of publication of Evidence Report through website, social media and direct communication with registered participants. Evidence Gathering – Evidence Report Publication of Evidence Report and submission to Scottish Minister for Gate Check June 2026 Publish document on the Council website and make copies of the document available in the Council headquarters and libraries. Evidence Gathering – Gate Check Gate Check June 2026 The person appointed to undertake the Gate Check may consult with certain stakeholders either in writing or through a hearing. Involve and collaborate with participants in the preparation of the Proposed Local Development Plan. Undertake a ‘Call for Ideas and Sites’ consultation. Promote this through an online survey, making use of mapping tools if available, and face-to-face events with community councils and other Plan Preparation – Proposed Plan Preparation of Proposed Local Development Plan and Draft Delivery Programme July 2026>June 2027 Page 58
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Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2025 community groups. The ‘Call for Ideas and Sites’ will also provide land and property owners and the development industry the opportunity to suggest sites for development. Consult on submissions for consideration. Hold discussions with groups that have prepared or are preparing Local Place Plans to consider how the Proposed plan can deliver or reflect the content and aspirations of Local Place Plans. Develop masterplans and site briefs with communities, developers, landowners and key agencies and share potential content of the Proposed Plan as it becomes available allowing participants the chance to influence it before it is formally published in the Proposed Plan. Identify potential areas of conflict and make use of mediation if this Page 59
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Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2025 is likely to help resolve or reduce dispute between different parties. Liaise with organisations who will be identified for the delivery of actions set out in the Draft Delivery Programme. Inform participants of the publication of the Proposed Local Development Plan and Draft Delivery Programme and consult with them on its content. Publish notice in local newspaper and on Council website informing that the Proposed Plan and Draft Delivery Programme has been published. Publish documents on the Council website and make copies of the document available in the Council headquarters and libraries. Notify the owner, lessee or occupiers of sites and neighbouring land that may be affected by development proposals set out in the Plan. Plan Preparation - Consultation Consultation on Proposed Local Development Plan and Draft Delivery Programme June 2027> August 2027 Page 60
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Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2025 Meet with Community Councils and other community organisations to encourage participation in the Proposed Local Development Plan consultation process. Plan Preparation - Consultation Modify Proposed Local Development Plan following consultation September 2027> January 2028 Inform communities of modifications made in response to representations made on the Proposed Plan. Plan Preparation - Examination Preparation of ‘Summary of Unresolved Issues’’ September 2027> January 2028 Although there is no formal engagement at this stage of the process, the Council may make use of mediation if this is likely to help resolve or reduce dispute between different parties. Plan Preparation - Examination Submission of Proposed Local Development Plan for Examination February 2028 Inform anyone who made representations on the Proposed Plan about the upcoming Examination and also advertise the Examination in a local newspaper, in local public libraries, and on Council website and social media. Examination Page 61
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Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2025 The person appointed to undertake the Examination may consult with stakeholders to seek further information on a submitted representation. Plan Preparation - Examination February2028>September 2028 The appointed person will publish the Examination Report and notify anyone who made an unresolved representation. Inform participants of the adoption of the Local Development Plan. Publish the adopted Local Development Plan on the Council website and make copies available in local public libraries. Notify participants, including those who made a representation on the Proposed Local Development Plan or Examination. Delivery – Adopted Plan Adopt the Local Development Plan December 2028 Place an advertisement in a local newspaper stating where the adopted Plan can be viewed. Inform participants of the publication of the Delivery Programme. Delivery - Delivery Programme Publish the Delivery Programme March 2029 Page 62
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Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2025 Publish the Delivery Programme on the Council website and make copies available in local public libraries. Publish an updated Delivery Programme at least every two years and make available on Council website and local public libraries. Delivery - Monitoring and Delivery Publish information on monitoring and delivery Post March 2029 Publish annual land use survey information on Council website. i https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-planning-framework-4/ ii https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/planning/planning-guidance/. iii Development Plan | West Dunbartonshire Council (west-dunbarton.gov.uk) Page 63