THE first new tenant has been welcomed into a new social housing development in Haldane.

Shirley Floyd, 61, moved into the three-bedroom semi detached house at West Dunbartonshire Council’s Inler Gate development last month.

She had requested a move from her previous tenancy following a change in circumstances, which meant she had been sharing a small bedroom with her 12-year-old granddaughter.

Shirley, who suffers from ill-health, says she is “over the moon” with the amount of space she has in the new home and can’t wait for some neighbours to join her in the 58-house development.

Now Shirley, her 38-year-old son Thomas and granddaughter Taylor each have a room of their own.

She said: “This move means everything to us. When I took over the care of my granddaughter it meant our previous house became too small.

“We were sharing a room, and it was very cramped. The age she is at, she needs privacy, and it wasn’t fair her having to share with me.

“We only found out that we were being offered one of the new build homes three weeks before we were to move, so it was short notice, but I was absolutely over the moon.

It felt like a big boulder had lifted off my shoulders.”

The homes in the development, which was delivered by building partner CCG, all meet the council’s design standard, which extra floor space, home office space, flexible layouts and adhering to the Silver standard for energy efficiency.

More new tenants are expected to get their keys throughout November.

Councillor Diane Docherty, convener of housing and communities, said: “We were delighted to welcome Shirley to her new home in October and some others since then. I wish them all every happiness in the future.

“This is a big milestone for the council but the first of many, as work progresses on our new home developments all over West Dunbartonshire.

“We are committed to providing safe, stylish and affordable homes for our tenants and I am delighted that they are beginning to enjoy the results.”