Proposals to demolish 220 blocks of flats in Bellsmyre to make way for 140 new homes have been given the green light by West Dunbartonshire Council.
The new homes will be developed at Bardwood Hill, Aitkenbar Drive, Howatshaws Road, Stoneyflatt Road and Braeside Drive by Caledonia Housing Association.
Following a public consultation it was revealed that people do not want to live in flats any more which is why the housing association will construct a mixture of two two-bedroom wheelchair accessible flats, 28 one-bedroom cottage flats, 49 two-bedroom terrace houses, 27 three-bedroom terrace houses and eight four-bedroom detached houses.
There will also be 154 car parking spaces provided, 14 of which will be for visitors, as well as cycle stands for wider public use. The application was brought before the planning committee on Wednesday.
Councillor Karen Conaghan said: “I really welcome this report and the regeneration of Bellsmyre.
“I note that we are creating 140 houses. Can I ask in terms of what is being demolished just now and how many flats and houses are we replacing. Are we increasing or decreasing the number of properties there?
“I do appreciate that some of the homes may have been void and unoccupied for a period of time before we took the decision to demolish and rebuild there, I am just wondering in terms of our overall availability of housing within the Bellsmyre area - are we adding to that or not.
“I am sure if we are developing houses there will be an increased demand for them.”
It was confirmed by the applicant, David Leaf, that 220 “flatted blocks” would be demolished but houses would remain intact.
Speaking on behalf of the housing association Mr Leaf said: “The feedback from the community was that people don’t want to live in flats anymore which is why we are building new houses.
“There is a small number of two storey cottage flats that are being proposed which have been accepted by the community during consultation.
“The demolition has been ongoing for the last two years and a number of people have had permanent moves to developments in Bonhill. Some tenants have moved into council stock.
“Once all the units have been demolished there will only be 74 existing residents going into the 140 new homes with the balance being available to the local community through demand as generated.”
