PLANS for 55 new affordable council homes have been approved for the former Aikenbar Primary site.

West Dunbartonshire Council’s planning committee gave unanimous backing to the plans for the 1.9-acre land, including 24 one-bedroom flats, two, three and four-bedroom semi-detached houses, two three-bedroom accessible bungalows and four-bedroom detached homes.

There will also be a community garden in the area, which includes a tree-lined road from Howatshaws Road and a new footpath to the adjacent play area.

Councillor Diane Docherty, vice chair of the planning committee, and convener of housing and communities, said: “I was really impressed with the plans.

It has been well thought out to ensure this new development can fit in with the existing community and I’m sure it will bring a great deal of benefit to the surrounding area.”

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Councillor Karen Conaghan said after the meeting: “It will further add to the improvements in the area over the last few years.

“It’s great to see a good mix of housing types within this new council housing development that will suit both smaller households and larger families too.

“I was also heartened to hear that there are plans to engage with the existing Bellsmyre Community Gardens group so the green space at the new housing development adds to the overall area.”

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