Council urged to reject plan for Cumbernauld retail site

Business owners and landlords in Cumbernauld today urged councillors to reject plans for a development which they argue threatens the regeneration of the town.

Plans for the Westfield retail park in Cumbernauld have come under fire. Picture: Contributed

North Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee is considering an application for Westfield retail park, a seven-unit £25 million development on the outskirts of Cumbernauld.

A number of local businesses, shops and landlords have joined forces to oppose the plans which they believe would have a devastating effect on the town centre and could derail plans to redevelop the existing shopping centre in the town.

They argue Westfield is not of a scale that will attract shoppers from far beyond the Cumbernauld area and will take business away from existing shops.

Stuart Wilson of Belgate Estates, which jointly owns two shopping centres in the town, said: “If this is approved it will be a devastating blow for a town centre already under significant pressure, at a time when a great deal of time and money is being invested in creating a shopping and leisure experience worthy of a town the size of Cumbernauld.”

The developers of Westfield say it will create 200 full-time jobs, with tenants including M&S Simply Food, Aldi and Home Bargains.