Council to proceed with Forth and Clyde Luggiebank footpath

East Dunbartonshire Council’s planning board unanimously agreed to the local authority’s plans to improve the south bank towpath of the canal, with the installation of various features including new surfacing, public realm enhancements, signage, lighting and landscaping.

The overall ambition of this project is to create a series of interconnected public spaces via the towpath, improving access to and from Kirkintilloch town centre for residents and visitors to the area.

A report presented to the planning board recommended granting the application subject to conditions, noting that the development would not harm the character and appearance of the area, and would insread bring several benefits for the well-being, recreation and health of people without causing environmental harm or increasing flood risk.

Several conditions have been attached to the planning permission, including a requirement that development begin within three years but only after a number of other details have been formally approved, including the design of proposed benches and other features along the route, measures to protect trees in the area, the design and layout of of a picnic area and biodiversity aspects such as bird or bat boxes and the creation of ledges at Cowgate Canal Bridge to facilitate movement of wild animals such as otters.