A NEW project will create the first “children’s neighbourhood” in the Radnor Park area of Clydebank.

The area was chosen for being the home to youth charity Y Sort It, as well as the work carried out locally by the foodbank, Recycle Room at The Hub, and other organisations.

It also has higher rates of deprivation and Children’s Neighbourhoods Scotland (CNS) will have a University of Glasgow co-ordinator based in Radnor Park to take their work forward.

West Dunbartonshire Council’s (WDC) educational services committee was given an update on the proposals at their meeting last week.

CNS said they hope to lessen the impacts of decades of economic decline in the town and the 2008 recession, but responding to the views of children and young people in Radnor Park.

It is the second area to be chosen for the idea.

Their local coordinator will work with youngsters to find out what’s available to them and what they’d like to see, alongside researchers from Glasgow University.

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CNS stated in a blog post: “They’ll carry out focus groups and consultations with the local community. This will help us gain more profound insights into improving outcomes for children and young people in Clydebank.

“Our aim is to help find ways for local people, partners and services to work together, so we’d love to hear from you.”

CNS did not respond to a request for comment.

Local Councillor John Mooney said at the committee meeting: “I’m very pleased to see this. I can see why you have chosen Radnor Park. It does seem to be a very good place to start the model. I’m really looking forward to seeing it moving forward.”

Councillor Martin Rooney said: “It’s quite an exciting approach.”

And committee chairwoman Councillor Karen Conaghan, added: “I think it’s a great project - a holistic way of tackling things.”

CNS will provide the support and coordination, while WDC match funds and the cost of the coordinator, a total of £40,000 a year.

The Scottish Government put aside £2million to CNS to expand beyond Glasgow to tackle child and family poverty.