East Dunbarton Council is reconsidering its plans to renovate and refurbish Kirkintilloch town centre following an unsuccessful bid for a £1.25m grant.

The Council launched the bid to the Historic Scotland Conservation Area Regenration Scheme (CARS) last summer.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Rhondda Geekie said: "Whilst this is very disappointing, Historic Scotland has advised the Council and its partners to apply for another Historic Scotland Grant programme for large building repairs to support the town hall element of the package of works in the town centre. This bid runs three times a year and officers are now preparing a submission."

In October 2012 a separate bid was also submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund Townscape Heritage Initiative. The outcome of this submission is expected in March 2013.

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Councillor Geekie continued: "Despite this unsuccessful bid to CARS, the Council and its partners remain optimistic about the proposals and recent developments of the Kirkintilloch Town Centre Masterplan. Initial projects to improve access to the town centre are in the planning stages and we will continue to explore all opportunities and avenues that are available to us to help fund the important heritage regeneration activity proposed for the town."

Meanwhile, works to improve Barleybank Car Park and create a new public open space in the town centre are due to begin later this month.

A new junction onto New Lairdsland Road will be constructed and the existing junction could be closed off to allow for the creation of new public space in front of the B-listed St Mary’s Church.

Ms Geekie said: "During consultation on the Kirkintilloch Masterplan, people talked again and again about the need to improve public open space. The area around Barleybank car park lends itself to this type of improvement, giving us an opportunity to enhance an already attractive spot."

Works for the new junction will begin on the weekend of 19 January and are estimated to last four weeks.

(IT)