East Dunbartonshire Council has launched a public consultation on new draft planning guidance, to inform a Masterplan to direct future growth, attract new investment and deliver long-term employment opportunities.

This work supports the Council's £34.88 million Place and Growth Programme – backed by £15 million each from the UK and Scottish Governments through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.

The Masterplan is a long-term, overall framework for the development of "land parcels" that will support investment in the area and future planning applications. It has been shaped by public consultation carried out in 2023, as well as site investigations, surveys and ongoing work with agencies, landowners and local businesses.

The closing date for comments is 6 May 2024.

Councillor Gordan Low, Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, said: "Planning guidance has been developed to help support the regeneration of under-used and derelict industrial land in the Westerhill area – a key site for business investment and employment opportunities in East Dunbartonshire.

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"It also seeks to protect the local environment, promote sustainability and provide better connections. Please take the time to visit the webpage and get in touch if you can."

Long-term objectives of the Masterplan include:

• Supporting and enabling investment to create jobs

• The creation of a high-quality commercial land use area which capitalises on its natural assets and is well connected

• The protection and enhancement of the High and Low Moss areas, and peat soil

• The creation of green links, and health and wellbeing improvements via path accessibility, active travel, public transport and open spaces

• Road improvements

• The refurbishment of vacant buildings and improvements to the existing Westerhill Industrial Estate.

The City Deal programme – in conjunction with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and Glasgow City Council – will see an integrated approach to improve infrastructure within East Dunbartonshire and the north of Glasgow, with three main elements:

• Bishopbriggs Town Centre Regeneration

• Delivery of the Westerhill Development Road and a Masterplan for Westerhill

• Improvements to the A803 Route Corridor.

Once adopted the Westerhill planning guidance will become part of the current Local Development Plan.

• The £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal is an agreement between the UK Government, the Scottish Government and eight local authorities across Glasgow and the Clyde Valley.

• The eight local authorities in Glasgow City Region are East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.