Council completes purchase of key site for Whitesands Project

Dumfries and Galloway Council has completed the purchase of the Bazaar/Whitesands Car Park site in Dumfries, marking an important milestone in the delivery of the Whitesands Project.

Bringing the site into council ownership will support the next stages of the project and help deliver the long-term vision for Whitesands and the River Nith.

Supporting project delivery

The acquisition provides the access and operational flexibility needed to support future construction activity within the project area.

The site will be made available to the project's appointed contractor from 4 August 2026, helping preparations continue for upcoming phases of work.

Investing in Dumfries' future

The Whitesands Project is designed to reduce flood risk while creating a more attractive, accessible and resilient town centre environment.

Alongside new flood protection infrastructure, the project will deliver improvements to public spaces, strengthen links between the town centre and riverfront, and enhance the overall appearance and usability of the area for residents, businesses and visitors.

Securing ownership of the site is an important step in helping the project move forward and ensuring the infrastructure and improvements planned for the area can be delivered effectively.

Part of the wider project vision

The project represents a long-term investment in Dumfries, helping to protect the town from future flood events while supporting improvements to public spaces and access along the River Nith.