Plans have been approved by West Dunbartonshire Council to allow a dance school to move to a new home.

Dancebase Academy, which offers dance classes for all ages as well as a number of fitness classes for adults, will now have a permanent home at the Vale of Leven Industrial Estate. Since its establishment four years ago, the business has operated out of a number of premises in Dumbarton and Alexandria, before applying for a vacant unit in the industrial estate.

Planning officials has cited concerns regarding the suitability of the unit, such as safety issues related to the number of heavy goods vehicles in the estate, and had recommended that the application should be refused. However, Councillors felt the benefits of allowing the businesses the opportunity to thrive within a permanent home outweighed these considerations.

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One of the conditions of the approval which was granted is that the business will need to install the appropriate signage to stop heavy vehicles entering the street leading to the dance studio.

Councillor Lawrence O'Neill, Convener of Planning, said: "This is a business which has already proved extremely successful and it is important that we encourage young entrepreneurs to allow them to continue expanding their horizons.

"While we recognise and appreciate the professional recommendation provided by the Planning officers, on this occasion all of the Councillors on the committee felt that the benefits of granting this application override any other considerations.

"A clear locational need has been identified by this business, having been forced to move several times due to building closures, so this unit will provide a stable base for them to operate from."

Provost Douglas McAllister, Vice Convener of Planning, said: "The Council is committed to improving the wellbeing of communities so by providing a permanent home for this dance and fitness business it will help to do just that.

"The unit has been vacant for nine months, so it is positive that this successful business is now going to move in. The industrial estate already has a number of different types of business, such as indoor football and a music studio, so by including a dance studio it will add to the vibrancy of the area."

(JP)