Almost 70 new homes will be developed on a former Dumbarton school site as the local authority continues its work to “enhance” the area.

Proposals for 68 new houses which will be made up of 15 two-bedroom and 53 three-bedroom homes in the Castlehill area were given the green light by West Dunbartonshire’s planning committee last week.

It will see the old Our Lady and St Patrick’s high school site, which was demolished in 2018, brought back to life and the demolition of the vacant janitor’s house in Cardross Road. 

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A report was brought before members of the committee which highlighted that a number of objections and concerns had been raised by residents including increased traffic and congestion in the area, removal of trees and the loss of privacy. 

Further fears of neighbouring gardens being waterlogged and the removal of the existing pedestrian crossing in Cardross Road was also brought to the attention of the committee.
Despite these concerns, the application was agreed upon unanimously.

Following the meeting, leader of the opposition, councillor Karen Conaghan said: “The planning committee of which I am a member approved this planning application unanimously. 

“I’m pleased to see this development of 68 homes coming to this site which will bring a site that has lain empty since the school relocated to its new building back into use. 

“Concerns from some residents were noted and addressed by the developers and I was pleased to hear that the developers had further engaged positively after the meeting with those who had taken the trouble to attend the committee. 

“I’m confident that a sympathetic development will enhance the area and bring a choice of new homes to the west end of Dumbarton.”

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Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, vice convener of planning at West Dunbartonshire Council, added: “It is really promising to see yet more interest and investment in West Dunbartonshire and I welcome this development, which will transform this unused site.”