It is one of a number of developments in Dumbarton and the Vale which are being led by West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC).

The first — a partnership between WDC, Cube Housing Association and its parent company the Wheatley Group — will see 300 homes built across the council area, inlcuding neighbouring Clydebank.

Possible sites being considered include the site of the old Bonhill Primary building on Main Street and the Castlehill area of Dumbarton.

Councillor David McBride, WDC’s housing convener, joined Cube chairwoman Liz Ruine at the Beardmore Place, another of the proposed sites, to mark the beginning of the new partnership.

He said: “It’s fantastic to see the partnership deliver such a positive contribution to new affordable housing at such an early stage.

“With advanced plans to deliver hundreds more new affordable homes to meet identified housing need, this is great news for the community.” Mrs Ruine said: “It’s very exciting to see these new homes take shape and I know they will be a real boost to the area. It’s great news for Cube tenants and for people living in West Dunbartonshire.” Alex McGuire, Wheatley Group director of Property, added: “The partnership is already making a difference to the lives of tenants and breathing new life into our communities. By working with the council we can deliver clear benefits for West Dunbartonshire by increasing the supply of affordable homes in our neighbourhoods.” The homes in Brucehill, Dumbarton, are being built by Glasgow-based company CCG, the firm will use technology that built the Commonwealth Athletes Village to construct the new affordable social housing.

Previously, the authority and the Scottish Government had come under fire for the lack of affordable housing being built in the area.

Building is already underway at the Hill Street site, located within the existing housing estate, and it is hoped this new build will help to regenerate the area.

Calum Murray, director of CCG, said: “We are happy to be working with West Dunbartonshire Council on this project to support their house build programme.” The development is due to be completed in August 2015.

WDC will have 100 per cent nomination first-let rights for all social rented homes delivered through the partnership.