Bowling Strategic Development Site

The Bowling Strategic Development project will transform a disused former Exxon oil terminal site into a key industrial and commercial asset. It will unlock new investment opportunities, including the possible creation of manufacturing facilities, logistics hubs supported by upgraded road access and new public transport links. The development will create local jobs, enhance public realm for residents, and preserve key natural habitats along the waterfront, ensuring that benefits are felt by local communities and the outstanding natural environment.

The site is master planned for the development of:

• 9.10 hectares of land suitable for future construction of over 40,000 square metres of employment floorspace including office, business, industrial, storage and distribution supported by new strategic infrastructure, enabling phased, employment‑led development and improving long‑term site accessibility and viability
• 20.00 hectares of new public realm
• adjacent heritage and local landmark features, including Dunglass Castle, former residential dwelling and the Henry Bell Monument.

When completed the site will include:

• 27.13 hectares of enhanced or protected greenspace
• 24.77 hectares of land protected from flooding

The project aims to boost and diversify West Dunbartonshire's economy through a strategic, employment-focused development that tackles limited land supply and attracts private investment. Positioned uniquely on the riverfront, it will drive growth by creating jobs, enhancing competitiveness, and supporting sustainable economic development across the Glasgow City Region.

The site, which is located on the northern bank of the River Clyde and only 13 miles west of Glasgow, offers strategic advantages through its excellent road, rail and potential river transport connections to Glasgow City Region, access to M8 and the wider motorway network, as well as proximity to Glasgow Airport with its connections to a worldwide market. The site also benefits from a deep-water frontage providing the opportunity to support businesses that depend on access to deep channels where large vessels can dock. Together, these connections position the site as a highly accessible location capable of supporting a wide range of employment led uses and serving regional, national and international markets.

The wider area has several strengths that make it attractive to businesses, including a skilled workforce, a strong regional transport network, a track record of innovation, and a commitment to sustainability, underpinned by West Dunbartonshire Council’s proactive approach to regeneration, infrastructure delivery and partnership working across the Glasgow City Region.

This is an ambitious development with enormous potential which is expected to support 840 new jobs, deliver significant additional private investment and £331.4m net additional Gross Value Added to the City Region over 25 years.

Enabling infrastructure funded through the Glasgow City Deal is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027 and includes:

• 1.95km spine road with associated drainage and lighting infrastructure, linking two upgraded junctions on the A82 and A814 via two new railway crossings
• 1.32km of enhanced existing public road (A814)
• 475m enhancement of the National Cycle Network Route 7
• Development platforming.

The Bowling Strategic Development Site will directly unlock the commercial potential of the wider North Clyde Riverbank by removing critical infrastructure constraints and establishing certainty around access and servicing. This creates a scalable platform for the adjacent sites, Scotts Yard and Bowling Harbour, to come forward for development, significantly expanding the investable pipeline in this location. The coordinated release of development opportunities across these sites enables investors and developers to benefit from improved market viability, reduced upfront risk and the ability to deliver phased, commercially responsive schemes aligned to demand across commercial, residential and leisure sectors.

West Dunbartonshire Council is seeking investment and/or partnership delivery of mixed-use development opportunities within the Bowling Strategic Development Site, including office, business and manufacturing space. This site is particularly well suited to marine-related, advance engineering and logistics aligned activity reflecting its riverfront location, infrastructure investment and complimentary developments across the Clyde Mission area.

Opportunities are expected to come forward on a phased basis, with flexibility to respond to market demand and investor requirements.

The Bowling Strategic Development Site responds directly to a well‑evidenced shortage of high‑quality, serviced and well-connected employment land within West Dunbartonshire and the wider Glasgow City Region.

The site offers a rare opportunity to bring forward a large, remediated waterfront location capable of accommodating modern commercial and industrial development at scale. Its size, flexibility and infrastructure‑led approach distinguish it from smaller, constrained sites elsewhere in the area and position it to meet current and future occupier requirements.

In this context, the site presents a credible investment proposition, supported by public sector intervention in enabling infrastructure to reduce upfront risk and create the conditions for private investment.

The project is underpinned by an approved Full Business Case, alongside an up‑to‑date business plan and financial model, ensuring a robust and transparent investment framework aligned with Glasgow City Region objectives.

Reasons to invest:

• Development‑ready land with planning consent for Office, Business, Industrial Distribution and Storage available from 2028 onwards
• Prime riverfront location with a distinctive identity complemented by public open space within an outstanding natural environment.
• Deep water frontage providing opportunities for marine dependent businesses
• A phased, market‑responsive development framework, capable of accommodating a range of investor and occupier requirements.
• Excellent transport connectivity at local, regional and national scale.
• Single public land ownership, providing clarity on land control, partnership structures and delivery certainty.