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Document Pack (Bookmarked) Pre planning Application Consultation - Former Playdrome site at Clydebank

West Dunbartonshire Council · 9 August 2022
Back to Planning Pre-Application Consultation — 9 August 2022 and its agenda

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Agenda
Elected Members’ Briefing Meeting
Date: Tuesday, 9 August 2022
___________________________________________________________________
Time: 14:30
___________________________________________________________________
Format Hybrid 
___________________________________________________________________
Contact:   Nicola Moorcroft, Committee Officer
Email: Nicola.moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Dear Member
Please attend the Elected Members’ Briefing Meeting as detailed above. 
Members will have the option to attend the meeting remotely or in person at the Civic
Space, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton. 
The business is shown on the attached agenda.
Yours faithfully
PETER HESSETT
Chief Executive
Distribution:-
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Councillor Michelle McGinty
Councillor June McKay
Councillor John Millar
Councillor Lawrence O’Neill
Councillor Lauren Oxley
Councillor Chris Pollock
Councillor Martin Rooney
Councillor Gordon Scanlan
Councillor Hazel Sorrell
Councillor Clare Steel
Councillor Sophie Traynor
Provost Douglas McAllister
Councillor James Bollan 
Councillor Karen Conaghan 
Councillor Ian Dickson 
Councillor Diane Docherty 
Councillor Craig Edward 
Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal
Councillor Daniel Lennie
Councillor David McBride
Councillor Jonathan McColl
Councillor James McElhill 
Chief Executive
Chief Officer – Regulatory and
Regeneration
Date issued:  3 August 2022
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ELECTED MEMBERS’ BRIEFING MEETING
TUESDAY, 9 AUGUST 2022
AGENDA
1
2
3
APOLOGIES
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members are invited to declare if they have an interest in the item of business
on the agenda and the reasons for such declarations.
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CONSISTING OF 127 DWELLINGS, CAR
PARKING, SUDS ATTENUATION, LANDSCAPING AND PARK AREA ON
FORMER PLAYDROME SITE – 2, ABBOTSFORD ROAD, CLYDEBANK
G81 1PA
5 - 9
Submit report by the Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health
Manager to advise of a pre-application consultation taking place regarding the
redevelopment of former Playdrome Site.
__________________________________________________________________________________
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ITEM 3
WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL
Residential development consisting of 127 new dwellings, car parking, Suds
attenuation and Landscaping  and Park area, Site of former Playdrome site 2
Abbotsford Road, Clydebank G81 1PA 
Elected Members Pre-Application Briefing Meeting: 9th August 2022
___________________________________________________________________
1. Purpose
The purpose of this briefing note is to advise Members of pre-application consultation
taking place regarding the redevelopment of the former Playdrome site Clydebank.   
This briefing is also to give members an opportunity to highlight any issues which they
consider any future planning application ought to address. The merits of the proposals
are not being considered, and no decisions will be made at this stage. The agreed
procedures and protocol for Elected Member involvement at the pre-application stage
are attached as appendices.
2. Background
The site was recently marketed by the Council and a preferred developer has been
selected – Miller Homes.  Regular pre-application meetings between the developer and
the Planning Service have taken place and the proposal was recently presented to the
Place and Design Panel. The developer has taken onboard recommendations of the
Place and Design Panel and this has influenced the current layout. 
3. Site description
The site is located in Clydebank Town Centre and is on the site of the former Playdrome
leisure centre and car park at Argyll Road which was demolished in October 2021. It is
approximately 3.46 hectares of brownfield land. The site is bounded to the north by the
Forth and Clyde Canal, Argyll Road to the east, Chalmers Street to the south and
Abbotsford Church, Clydebank Credit Union and the rear of properties on Sylvania Way
South to the west. 
4. Development Details
A total of 127 houses are proposed which are either semi-detached units, terraced units
or town houses.  There are 126 three bedroom homes and 1 four bedroom corner
feature house proposed. Of the 3 bedroom houses, 20 of these will be townhouses
which will be 3 storey in height. The remaining units will be 2 storey in height.  Access to
the development will be taken from a single access point on Chalmers Street although
an emergency access and footway link will be provided off Argyll Road.    
The design and layout of the development has evolved from a series of meetings with
Planning Officers, the Placemaking Co-ordinator and the recommendations of the Place
and Design Panel. The layout is provided in a grid pattern with the house units to the
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East, South and West boundaries being outward facing with rear gardens internal to the
site. A large linear park is created along the Western boundary which separates the
existing commercial development from the new residential development. The linear park
will provide open space,  landscaping and play facilities which can be used by residents
and the general public. It will also accommodate a Sustainable Drainage System facility
within this area.  The northern area of open space will be provided for residents and the
public. Footpath linkages and bench seating will be strategically located along the length
of the linear park. 
5. Planning Policies
In the Adopted Local Plan the site is allocated as a Retail Development Opportunity under
Policy RET 4(2) with support given for the development of a superstore opportunity within
Clydebank town centre. 
In Local Development Plan 2 Proposed Plan, the strategy for Clydebank is to develop a
stronger evening economy, leisure opportunities and greater residential development within
and around the Town Centre. Transforming the area of Forth and Clyde Canal as a focal
point and multi-functional area for recreation with a mix of uses is supported on the site with
specific reference to support retail units that integrate with and provide a strong frontage and
relationship with the Canal.
Under Clydebank Policy 3 on the Playdrome site development proposals for retail units that
integrate with and provide a strong frontage and relationship with the Canal  in accordance
with Policies WD1 and FCC1 will be supported. 
Policy CP3 requires a masterplanned approach to the site to ensure it is developed
comprehensively and in accordance with the Clydebank Town Centre Development
Framework. 
The recently approved Clydebank Development Framework reflects retail becoming a less
dominant use within the town centre and a predominately residential future for the former
Playdrome site. It proposes a mixture of residential, leisure and commercial uses that can
create positive places and linkages highlighting the importance of creating a positive
relationship with the canal as well as opportunities to enhance the north south connections
through the site. 
6. Main Issues
The redevelopment of the site for residential development with associated public open
space is supported in principle by the framework of planning policy. The main issues
requiring to be addressed as part of the planning application include the following: 
Placemaking –. The layout, design and materials of the residential development should
be of very high quality so that it provides a positive recognisable town centre
neighbourhood. It should provide a catalyst for other development in the town centre,
along the Canal and supports the long term town centre regeneration of Clydebank and
future proposals of  Clydebank Development Framework. 
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Connection with adjacent  town centre uses and the Canal -  Having the Canal on
the northern part of the site presents a distinctive opportunity and maintaining visual and
physical connections to the canal should be an important objective for the development.
Consideration needs to be given to ensure that the new development connects to the
Forth and Clyde Canal and it supports and is compatible with other town centre uses.   
Sustainable Design – The development should use modern sustainability construction
methods in its design and materials.  Proposals should aim for high levels of energy
efficiency with a fabric first approach.  A sustainable palette of quality materials and
colours should be selected to fit this town centre location. 
Natural environment – Consideration should be given to adding further biodiversity and
natural elements. The provision of  quality open space for  residents and the wider public 
to provide health and wellbeing benefits is to be encouraged and provides a greening
corridor in the town centre.  Existing trees on the site are being retained and integrated
into the development and form part of open space areas. 
Accessibility and parking   – The site is highly accessible with good connections to the
surrounding area including the existing footpath network, the nearby bus station and the
train station. Priority should be given to walking to ensure optimum convenience for
pedestrians providing a pleasant, well lit inclusive development. The new development
should encourage use of more sustainable modes of transport such as walking and
cycling with the provision of car parking minimised.  Visitor parking should be provided
for adjacent uses.  
Community and Economic Benefits -The wider community and economic benefits it brings
to the local area in terms of providing new quality homes for sale, quality open space,
creating jobs and providing  wider health and wellbeing outcomes needs considered.  
Technical Matters – The development should ensure that any issues regarding ground
works, flooding and sustainable drainage matters are fully addressed in terms of the
design of the proposals. 
7. Next Steps
All Elected Members are invited to attend a presentation on the proposals by members
of the design team, and to participate in a subsequent discussion. 
Following this pre-application meeting, the applicant intends to prepare their planning
application for submission and address any comments received during this meeting.  On
receipt of any such application it would be advertised in the press, weekly list and the
Council website to allow the public to view the plans and make representation.  The
application would then be presented to Planning Committee for consideration and
determination in due course.
Pamela Clifford
Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager
Date: 1st August   2022
Person to Contact: Pamela Clifford, Planning & Building Standards Manager,
email: pamela.clifford@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
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Appendix:
Background Papers:
Wards Affected: 
Location plan
None 
Ward 6 - Clydebank Waterfront
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ITEM 3 - APPENDIX 1
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