PLANS have been submitted for a 3G all-weather sports pitch at Mountblow as council bosses begin their overhaul of the site.

The new lease of life for one of the largest pitches in 50 miles, off Lilac Avenue, will eventually include refurbishment of the art deco-style sports pavilion.

Money was approved as part of the budget in February and now formal planning for the first phase, with the artificial pitch, has been submitted within West Dunbartonshire Council.

Willie McLaughlin, chairman of Dalmuir and Mountblow Community Council, welcomed the plans.

He said: “I am impressed by these plans. The location is good and I’m sure the pitch will be well used by local football clubs.

“So long as grass pitches are still available and the pavilion is upgraded Mountblow Reccy will contribute massively to sports participation in Clydebank.”

The development will include 15m floodlighting, a perimeter fencing of 3-6m high and an integrated drainage system.

Construction could take about 16 weeks. The excavated topsoil would be used elsewhere on site, such as the adjacent pitch and former running track which is in a poor state and could regrade the space so it’s more functional.

Sports Labs Ltd, which wrote a supporting statement for the application, said it would be “primarily” for the community and upgrade a pitch which can be in poor condition for extended periods of time.

Though it would be classed as a football pitch, it could be used for other sports, let out by the council.

It states: “The proposal will provide a safe, clean and fit-for-purpose facility in the community that is easily accessible.”

The pavilion and its changing rooms will be the “controlling centre” for the venue, which would have proposed hours of 9am to 10pm, Monday to Thursday, 9am to 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10am to 5pm on Sundays.

Brendan Mullen, founder and manager of Duntocher Hibs AFC, said the team had been playing at Mountblow since they started up in 2013 until last week when they moved home to The Hibby in Duntocher.

He hoped the facility would be good for the area, but added: “It will be a shame to dig up the good grass pitch there and it’s really a crying shame why they let the pavilion get into such disrepair. Nothing’s been done in 20 years.”

MSP Gil Paterson said: “I am pleased plans for the 3G pitch at Mountblow have been lodged. I very much welcome additional sporting facilities in Clydebank that will contribute to the fitness, health and wellbeing of constituents, especially young people.”

The planning application for public comment can be found on the council’s website by searching for DC17/192.