AN area of Bonhill is being earmarked for a new housing development- and councillors will be asked to give the proposal the green light later this month.

A housing developer wants to build 44 properties at the former Bonhill Primary School site, Main Street, Bonhill.

Cube Housing Association are behind the project and they hope the local authority grants planning permission when the Planning Committee meets on Wednesday, September 21.

A report to go before the planning committee states: "The application site is located to the west of Main Street, Bonhill and was formerly occupied by the original Bonhill Primary School.

"The site extends to almost 0.6 hectares and is currently vacant, with the old school having been demolished.

"It is bounded by Main Street to the east with the new Bonhill Primary School opposite, by housing to the north and south and by woodland

to the west. The site is relatively level throughout.

"The bold school boundary wall and railings along Main Street remains, along with a row of mature trees."

The report continues: "Full planning permission is sought for the erection of 44 flats comprising a mixture of 1 and 2 bedroom properties.

"The properties will consist of social housing available for rent and would include 4 properties specifically designed for wheelchair users.

"The development would be contained in two linear blocks of flats, with a three storey block fronting onto Main Street and a two

storey block towards the rear of the site.

"The flats fronting Main Street would be set back behind a landscaped area which is intended to provide some amenity space within the development.

"Parking would be spread throughout the site, although it would predominantly be located at either end of the site and on the new street which would be created between the buildings."

It's understood that in total, 54 parking spaces would be formed, with the option to create a further 12 parking spaces at a later date should it become necessary.

The new flats would be of a contemporary design with flat roofs, and it is proposed to finish the buildings in a light grey brick, with dark grey window and door frames.

Two representations have been received by the local authority in relation to the proposal, one from a local resident and from Bonhill and Dalmonach Community Council.

The Reporters understands that the resident had no objection to the proposal but had enquired about whether the existing boundary wall is to be retained.

And the Community Council supports the principle of a residential development for social housing on this site but has raised

concerns about the project.

Some of their concerns include the scale of the development, the impact of potentially a large number of people living within the development, inadequate car parking, a lack of a play area and road safety issues.

If approved it would be the second major housing development to be granted planning permission in the area since the summer.

In July this year The Reporter told how Bonhill was set for a housing boom after councillors approved an 85-home development at Bonhill’s Strathleven Park Estate.

This development comprises of a mixture of three- and four-bedroom detached and semi-detached properties, by Barratt Homes West of Scotland, with eight of the semi-detached houses in the south eastern corner of the Stirling Road site set aside for affordable housing for rent.

However, the rest will be for private rent.