Public consultation launched over Alexandria regeneration plans

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A public consultation has been launched over plans for new flats and a Lidl store in Alexandria town centre.Glenesk Homes and Lidl are asking for residents views on the proposals for 25 one and two-bedroom flats in a four-storey development, a new supermarket and car parking.They submitted a planning application to West Dunbartonshire Council earlier this year.Residents in Alexandria have received leaflets detailing the proposals and asking for their opinion.The Lennox Herald reported in February that disappointed campaigners say the long-awaited plans to develop Mitchell Way will leave Alexandria town centre “like a housing estate”.Janice Ross of the Vale of Leven Trust said she would have liked to have seen additional shop units, leading to fears that the plans will drive more people away from the Main Street.She told the Lennox: “I’m concerned about it on a range of levels.“It feels like this is the ‘anything’s better than nothing’ approach, but actually I think we need to be careful not to sell ourselves to the devil. “The people who live here will be left with it for the next 45 years until it all falls down again.

It’s history repeating itself. “I understand people’s frustration that we have a town centre that looks awful. I get that.“But are we jumping out the frying pan into the fire here?”A spokeswoman for Lidl said: “We are delighted to have submitted plans to bring a new Lidl store to Alexandria.“If granted, this would mark a multi-million pound investment in the area and the creation of around 40 new full and part-time jobs for the local community when the store opens.“We look forward to receiving a decision in due course.” Residents can take part in the public consultation by visiting