THE demolition of a former care home in Dumbarton has been given the green light by West Dunbartonshire councillors.

The former Willox Park care home and its associated outbuildings, which have lain empty since 2017, will be torn down by George Beattie & Sons Ltd, who have been awarded a contract at a value of almost £96,000.

The contract, awarded by the local authority, will start from February 7 and will run for a period of six weeks.

The organisation was chosen by the council because of its commitment to pay the living wage, donate goods to a local food share scheme as well as material and money to a local community project.

An update was brought before members of the tendering committee on Wednesday.

Council officer Angus Cameron told members of the committee: “The purpose of this report is to seek the approval of the tendering committee to authorise the demolition of the former care home known as Willox Park.

“This was part of the capital assets review and the demolition was identified as were its associated outbuildings.

“We had seven bids for this contract and we are looking to award that contract to George Beattie and Sons Ltd.

“The contract would start February 7, 2022. George Beattie and Sons  has appealed to us because they pay all their staff above the real living wage.

“They will also use West Dunbartonshire organisations for sub-contractor opportunities.”

Following the report members approved the contract award.

The Willox Park care home closed in 2017 when all its residents were moved to West Dunbartonshire Council's new £10m care home on a site formerly occupied by the town's historic Crosslet House.

Willox Park remains home to a sheltered housing facility.