Work has begun on a housing redevelopment in Dumbarton despite ownership uncertainty over three lock-ups on the site.

The Willox Park Housing Development will see 17 new assisted living homes built on the site of a former care home.

McTaggart Construction has been appointed as the principal contractor for the job, in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Council.

Work has started across from the three locks-ups, which still remain standing  (Image: Newsquest) The work has started across from three lock-ups, which still remain standing.

This is despite a household in the neighbouring Gibson Street receiving a letter from the local authority on November 5 enquiring about "three garages on the development site that are not within council ownership".

The letter goes on to ask whether the household "owns one of the former garages or did in the past" and also informs them that there are plans to "erect the site compound between the Willox Park car park and the former garage sites".

The residents of the property told the Dumbarton Reporter that they "have never owned a garage on the site."

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Work is underway on the site (Image: Newsquest) West Dunbartonshire Council would not comment on whether the owners of the three garages had been located or if an agreement had been reached on what to do with the lock-ups.

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesperson said: “Work is scheduled to take place on the new Willox Park development from the week beginning November 25. 

"The site compound will be located within the existing council housing site.”

The project is being funded from the Affordable Housing Supply Programme future new build element of the Housing Capital Investment Programme.

At a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council’s Housing and Communities committee back in March members agreed to the rebuilding of properties on the site - the option which most tenants voted in favour of.

West Dunbartonshire Council did not confirm if the owners of the lock-ups had been located (Image: Newsquest)The agreement followed an in-depth investigation of the properties to address issues of damp and mould.

Environmental sensors were installed in occupied properties to allow the council to monitor conditions closely.

A thorough consultation exercise was also carried out to ensure everyone had the chance to ask questions and to share their views on how they would like to progress.

Following the decision, the 36 homes within the Willox Park Sheltered Housing Complex were designated as surplus to requirements.

It was also confirmed in March that tenants would be given a personalised housing plan, and existing residents would be prioritised for the new homes at the adjacent former care home site.