The derelict site of the former John Brown Shipyard was purchased by Clydeside Regeneration in 2004 but the owners have been unable to attract investment to fund essential infrastructure works due to challenging market conditions. However, following a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council's Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development Committee, the local authority has said it plans to invest millions to prepare the site for future use.
The Council plans to fund the following infrastructure works to the site:
• Decontamination
• Raising ground levels to satisfy flood risk requirements
• Improving the junction at Cart Street
• Creating a new junction at Cable Depot Road
• Creation of a spine road to provide east-to-west circulation within the site
• Provision of public utilities
• Repairs to the flotation basin and quayside
• River walkways and open space
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• The creation of areas of public realm with improved links to the town centre.
The works would also allow the developer to continue with a masterplan to construct more than 800 new homes, a care home, retail unit, pub/diner, hotel, and new public space with pedestrian access to the riverside and to the town centre and transport interchange.
The proposed agreement with Clydeside Regeneration would see the Council receive a return on its investment as the site is developed. A final agreement between the local authority and the landowners is anticipated to be reached by autumn 2014.
Councillor Patrick McGlinchey, Convener of the Council's Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development Committee, said: "The proposed investment by the Council will stimulate the development of this very important derelict site, which will benefit the Council, the local community, and the economy of Clydebank and West Dunbartonshire as a whole.
"I am confident that an agreement will soon be reached to allow this ambitious plan to move forward. It is another great example of this Council tackling the issues that we face head on so that we can really bring much needed change to West Dunbartonshire."
Duncan Graham, from Clydeside Regeneration, added: "Over the past year we have been working closely with West Dunbartonshire Council and Dawn Developments in an attempt to find a way to unlock the development potential of Queens Quay.
"Since 2008 there has been little or no enthusiasm from mainstream funders to invest in large regeneration projects. By providing this funding West Dunbartonshire Council is playing a vital part in bringing forward large scale regeneration and sustainable economic development, allowing substantial inward investment to come forward from the private sector to deliver much needed new housing to the area and also giving Clydebank a gateway to the river."
(JP/CD)
