MORE than £3m is set to be invested in play facilities in West Dunbartonshire – including on the site of an old New Bonhill chapel damaged by a fire in 2011.

A series of play parks have already been built at an initial cost of £1 million but Councillors have approved plans for an additional £2.2 million which will go towards improving 23 different sites.

The locations in Dumbarton and the Vale are Balloch Park Slipway Play Area, Mollanbowie Estate, Inler Park, Riverside Estate, Westcliff, Brucehill, Bellsmyre Nursery, Silverton Milldam and Bowling.

The site of the old St Ronan’s Chapel in New Bonhill – which was destroyed in a fire in 2011 – is also set to be turned into a play park.

This development will be followed by further plans including a new play area in Balloch, a skate park in Bonhill and a new all-weather games area in Goldenhill Park. Residents in these areas are being encouraged to get in touch with the council and if there is enough support, work will begin in the next 18 months.

Cllr Patrick McGlinchey, said: “We’ve already invested significant funding in these types of projects, we know how popular these developments are with our families, and that’s why we’re determined to create even more.”

The incident in which St Ronan’s chapel was damaged on April 16, 2011, saw a blaze break out in the early hours beginning outside a rear door before spreading inside the building rendering the roof and floor beyond repair.

No-one was hurt in the incident but police believed it to have been started deliberately. The latest move will finally make use of the empty space and Jim Bollan, Scottish Socialist Party councillor for Leven, said it was a much-needed investment.He said: “Play facilities for younger and older children is badly needed in the New Bonhill area and I support the provision of this investment which will cost around £140,000. The consultation process is still ongoing about the location and what play equipment will be in the park and I look forward to seeing the results at the end of the month.” The original proposals were unveiled at a public meeting on July 13, while a letter from from the West Dunbartonshire Council’s Greenspace team has been sent out to residents in New Bonhill asking them for their views as part of a consultation.

John Millar, Labour councillor for Leven added: “I think utilising the old St Ronan’s site will unite the community in ownership of the park as it is in the centre of the whole community of New Bonhill.

“There have been some issues of safety and location asked by the families and I believe this was addressed at the meeting and they felt that it was answered to their satisfaction, so all in all I believe this is a fantastic new facility that will enhance the opportunity for kids to play.”

Other areas in West Dunbartonshire set to benefit include St Helena Crescent, Goldenhill Park and Linnvale.