PLANS for council housing on the site of a former Balloch school have taken a step forward.

In a report due to go before councillors next week, officers have recommended 58 new flats at the old Haldane Primary School on Miller Road are given the green light.

The school was shut in 2017, with kids shifted to a new multi-million pound facility nearby.

Now, the council is looking to use the site to offer affordable housing to residents in West Dunbartonshire.

At a meeting of the planning committee next Tuesday, councillors will vote on the initiative.

Plans have been drawn to build 20 one bed flats, eight two bed flats – two of which will be fully wheelchair accessible.

A further eight four bed and 16 three bed detached homes will also be created, along with four new detached houses with four bedrooms each.

As part of the plans, a woodland path and “natural play equipment” would also be installed for residents.

The report author praised the design of the project, which would be beneficial to the local area.

It reads: “The proposed development would have a strong frontage with Miller Road.

“This would enhance the current street scene, complement the existing residential character and add vibrancy and vitality to this area of Haldane.”

Despite the recommendation made for the approval of the project, officers slapped almost 20 conditions on the works.

The conditions included the limitation of hours that builders are able to work to between 8am and 6pm during the week, 8am and 1pm on a Saturday, and no work at all on Sundays or public holidays.

Another condition states the local authority must carry out a noise impact assessment on the site before any building work occurs.

The former school was given an emotional send off in 2017, as the pupils were moved to the new facility, with past students invited back for one last look at their old haunt.