Inverclyde Planning Board has unanimously approved the extension to the existing “mini-park” on the site of the former Scott Linlithgow and East Glen shipbuilding yard in Port Glasgow where big brand names including B&Q and Costa Coffee are already tenants.
The extension, expected to cost around £30 million, will diversify the tenant mix of the site and will bring two new retail terraces and a 24 hour gym to the development along with an additional 605 car parking spaces.
Board member Provost Robert Moran believes that the plans will help to keep consumer spending in Inverclyde.
He says; “This site is the gateway to Inverclyde. A big empty site doesn’t appeal to me and I’m sure it doesn’t appeal to visitors. This will encourage people to stop in our community and see what it has to offer.”
Developer Clydebuilt first gained planning permission for the site in 2012 in which it sought approval for a larger non-food retail development. However, although the new plans offer 4,400 square metres less retail floor space than approved in 2012 at only 16,200 square metres, they do offer a degree more flexibility and the opportunity to construct the gym on a first floor terrace above one of the units.
Unfortunately, although the council has wholeheartedly approved of the development, there has been strong opposition to the plans from the owners of the Oak Mall Shopping Centre in nearby Greenock. They argue that an extension to the existing site will undermine the town centre but, while councillors sympathised with this sentiment, they believe that a newer facility will benefit the whole of the local area in terms of visitor numbers.
At present, local consumers spend just over £180 million in Inverclyde, although a further £80 million is lost from the local economy when shoppers choose to visit major retail destinations in Braehead and Glasgow. Board chairman David Wilson is hopeful that an extension to the Port will help to keep a larger percentage of spending in Inverclyde.
Stuart Jamieson, head of regeneration and planning, backed the proposals in a report submitted to the planning board earlier this month.
In the report, he said; “The extension to Port Glasgow town centre has been promoted by the council in partnership with the site owner and developer since 1998.
“This location was chosen as it was acknowledged that there was insufficient land to accommodate large scale convenience and comparison retailing formats within Greenock town centre and that it would allow the provision of a fuller range of formats within Inverclyde.”
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