Vacant and overgrown land in Dumbarton is to be sold to a developer who intends to develop retirement cottages on the site. 

During a recent West Dunbartonshire committee meeting councillors agreed to dispose of the site at 44-48 Townend Road to Peter Doherty, who also owns the former Townhead Bowling Club next door, for £25,000.

Mr Doherty, who bought the club in 2018, had approached the council to purchase the land on Townend Road, as he has plans to develop age-restricted retirement cottages on both sites. 

A formal planning application would be required and submitted to the council’s planning department if the landowner wished to proceed with these plans. 

During the committee meeting, depute leader of West Dunbartonshire Council, Michelle McGinty said: “I think we have had numerous complaints over the years about the condition of that building and the state of the area around it.

“For the people that live there, it will be very welcome that there is access and they will be able to get to that building and access it whether that be to demolish it to build [retirement] accommodation or something else.

“It will be very welcome for the people in that area that things are finally moving forward with that land and it will not be the eyesore for them that it has been over the last few years especially with the increase and the worry of the overgrown nature of it.

“This is a very welcome report and I am glad we are getting somewhere now.”

Following the discussion members agreed to authorise council officers to conclude negotiations and the transaction.