'Visionary' retail plans dropped

Fresh plans will be drawn up for Dumfries town centre

The firm behind proposals for a major retail redevelopment of Dumfries town centre has shelved its plans.

Dumfries and Galloway Council has confirmed that developers Centros Miller have dropped the multi-million pound regeneration project.

A statement from the authority described the decision as "extremely disappointing".

It added that the Whitesands would remain its priority regeneration site in the town, despite the decision.

The proposals centred on a new road created between the High Street and the Whitesands.

It was hoped the plans could be underpinned by a large department store.

The council will now look at other ways of improving retail provision in the town.

Exciting development

"This is hugely disappointing for the town and the region," said planning committee chairman Roger Grant.

"This development was exciting and visionary and would have gone a long way to revitalising the town centre.

"Centros Miller has agreed to meet formally with the council to explain the background and reasons for their decision at the earliest opportunity."

He added that he hoped the good work already put in by both sides could still be taken forward.