A DUMBARTON couple say they feel they have “landed lucky” after moving to the town's latest social housing development.

Terry Smalls and Liz Robertson moved to Dunbritton’s Dumbarton Harbour development two years ago during the height of the Covid pandemic after previously staying on Round Riding Road for 18 years.

The couple explained that it is a “nice wee community” and that they jumped at the chance to move after they were offered a property on Hatters Lane.

Liz said: “We stayed on Round Riding Road for 18 years and we just jumped at the opportunity to move to this development after we were offered a place.

“It’s quiet, and you have access to all of the shops as we are right in the middle of the town centre.

“There’s always something, the canal changes every day so you are never bored. You don’t feel as if you are in Dumbarton.”

Despite the fact that Terry and Liz moved into their new home at the site two years ago it was only officially opened last week.

Dunbritton Housing Association (DHA) and West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) opened the development on Wednesday, June 22 at a ceremony attended by local residents, members of DHA and WDC, and Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for social justice, housing, and local government.

The site features 150 units comprising of one, two, and three bedroom properties including main-stream housing, wheelchair accessible properties, and properties let to care providers for supported living.

Shona Robison MSP said she was “delighted” to open the new development as she unveiled the viewing platform on Wednesday.

Ms Robison said: “We want to ensure everyone has a warm, safe, affordable home that meets their needs.

“It is great to see the outcome of the strong collaborative partnership working between all the partners which has made this transformative regeneration possible.

“We are proud of delivering 111,750 affordable homes since 2007 with over 78,000 for social rent.

“Progress has started towards our next ambitious target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, of which 70% will be for social rent and 10% in remote, rural and island communities.”

The development, which cost around £21 million, looks to address the growing need for affordable housing within Dumbarton.

Despite the Dumbarton Harbour site adding to the number of affordable homes in the town Ms Robison explained “there’s always more to do”.

She added: “There’s always more to do. We have delivered around 111,000 homes since 2007 but there’s far more to do.

“We need to keep the momentum going because we know people are absolutely crying out for new safe, warm, affordable homes and in the current climate as well with the cost of living crisis having homes that are more affordable to heat and affordable rents is really, really important.”

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.”