A NEW development of 150 homes on the shore of the River Leven at Dumbarton Harbour has been completed, a local housing association says.

The Dunbritton Housing Association (DHA) development features one, two, and three bedroom properties including mainstream housing, wheelchair accessible properties, and properties let to care providers for supported living.

The development looks to address the growing need for affordable housing within the town, whilst looking to link in with the culture and heritage of the location.All the properties, which have now been let, were constructed to high energy efficiency standards, helping to alleviate the challenges of fuel poverty.

Work on the site, which was formerly home to the town's Ballantines whisky distillery, began in early 2018 after the distillery's distinctive red tower, a focal point of the Dumbarton landscape since 1938, was demolished.

Dunbritton’s chief executive Allan Murphy said: “The development has not been without its challenges, with construction stalled due to the 2020 Covid outbreak, however, it encapsulates Dunbritton’s can do approach and strapline ‘together we can.’

"The association and its partners worked closely together to overcome such adversaries and to deliver a high-quality development for its customers, and I am very proud of the team at Dunbritton.

"We have shown a commitment to all of our customers in seeing this ambitious project through to completion.”

With funding from the National Heritage lottery, DHA are currently working closely with Rigarts, a socially engaged arts and film charity, and West Dunbartonshire Council to ensure that the open areas provide cultural regeneration with the provision of benches, a viewing platform, artistic paving slabs and commemorative door plaques.

Sephton MacQuire, chair of the board at Dunbritton, added: “This development encapsulates Dunbritton’s commitment to providing high quality social housing within West Dunbartonshire.

"I wish to thank both the Scottish Government and the Bank of Scotland for their financial support and assistance with financing the project. 

"We have shown a long-term commitment to regenerate this unused and abandoned area of the town, turning it into a place of high demand for those in housing need.”

The development was completed with the help of a £9 million funding package from the Bank of Scotland.