Work on £5 million project to build 25 new homes begins

Cordale Housing Association (CHA) has started work on a £5.4m development of 25 new homes at Dalquhurn.

The project will see 15 two-bed, eight three-bed and two four-bedroom homes built and become socially rented properties.

Construction has begun on the site at Dalquhurn Lane (Image: Newsquest) The site which received over £2.6 million from the Scottish Government, is expected to be completed by August 2025.

Dame Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton and Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, convener of housing and communities visited the site to mark the beginning of works.

25 new homes are due to be built at the site (Image: Newsquest) Jackie Baillie MSP said: “I am absolutely delighted that Cordale Housing is able to start work on a new-build development of much-needed homes for the socially-rented sector.

"There is a desperate shortage of social housing available and the Scottish Government recently followed West Dunbartonshire Council in declaring a housing emergency.

"Unfortunately, housing associations, like Caledonia, have been hampered in building more homes by reductions in funding from the Scottish Government.

"Many more developments of new homes for social rent are needed to meet demand and I commend Caledonia Housing Association for pushing on, in the face of adversity, to deliver for local tenants."

Speaking with the Reporter, Baillie also noted that these are the 'first social rented homes being built in West Dunbartonshire' this year.

Paul McLennan, Scottish minister for housing, has said that the government remains 'focused' on providing affordable homes across the country.

He said: “I am pleased that Cordale Housing Association has started work on 25 new social rented homes at Dalquhurn, backed by over £2 million of Scottish Government funding.

"Everyone deserves a warm and safe place to call home and these homes in Renton, West Dunbartonshire, will help to meet the needs of the local community for generations to come.

“We have a strong track record in housebuilding by supporting the delivery of more than 133,000 affordable homes since 2007, with more than 94,000 of those being for social rent.

"We remain focused on delivering 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland by 2032 with at least 70% for social rent and 10% in our rural and island communities, backed by almost £600 million of investment this year.”

The Cordale Committee, CHA’s chief executive and the local Renton team also visited the site last week.

Julie Cosgrove, chief executive of CHA, added: “Today marks the beginning of a significant project at Dalquhurn. The development is something we have been committed to for a number of years and it is excellent to see it now coming to fruition.

"I would also like to recognise the support that we have had from West Dunbartonshire Council and Scottish Government to make this development a reality. I am delighted that so many of our local partners have joined us to celebrate the start of it. I look forward to continuing to work closely with our local partners and the community in the months ahead.”