The Play Drome and surrounding land in Abbotsford Road will be redeveloped for retail and leisure uses with a new town square and pocket park created adjacent to the development.

The site, which is an integral part of the regeneration strategy for Clydebank, is set to be purchased by Henry Boot Developments for £3.9 million.

The ground will be made available to the developer for demolition once the new Clydebank leisure centre at Queens Quay is fully operational early next year.

The news follows a competitive bidding process during which seven developers submitted proposals for the attractive town centre site.

The successful bid from Henry Boot makes optimum use of the canalside location and also includes plans for restaurants to revitalise the night-time economy in the area.

The developer’s proposal also offered the best financial return for the council.

Councillors heard that the firm, which has built a range of retail and leisure developments across the UK, planned to bring new retailers to the town.

The proposed design includes seven retail units, associated car parking, a new public square and a pocket park on the southern side of the Forth and Clyde Canal. A planning consultation will begin in the coming weeks and a planning application for the site will be submitted in 2017.

Councillor Patrick McGlinchey, convener of infrastructure and regeneration, said: “This site is hugely important to our overall vision for regenerating Clydebank. Work is already underway at Queens Quay and the PlayDrome site provides an important link between the town centre and the redevelopment of the waterfront with a new health centre, leisure centre and housing. Between them these developments will create jobs, increase visitors and improve our economy.

“We have been determined to build a new leisure centre for Clydebank for a number of years and also to ensure that this key site is kept in use. We have achieved that. This was the best proposal for Clydebank and I will be working to ensure the final designs are of the highest standard possible and meet the aspirations of our residents.”

Councillor David McBride, vice-convener of infrastructure and regeneration, added: “As a Council, we made a commitment to regenerating our town centres in West Dunbartonshire, and we are delivering on that. This development marks the final piece of the jigsaw in Clydebank and will ensure that once the Play Drome is vacated there will be a quick turnaround and the site is transformed. I look forward to seeing these developments taking shape and to our overall vision for the area being realised.”