A series of major refurbishments to the housing blocks at West Bridgend, Dumbarton, has just been completed.

The £1.27 million project was carried out by West Dunbartonshire Council and its contractor Wates Living Space, the affordable housing division of the Wates Group. Work began in January 2011 and consisted of overhauling the external fabric of the two blocks, Lomond Court and Clyde Court.

Insulated overcladding was installed to improve appearance and energy efficiency of the blocks, along with concrete repairs and asbestos removal.

The project follows on from similar refurbishments to Leven Court, carried out by Apollo Property Services Group Ltd.

The Council's Consultancy Services who oversaw the project, consulted residents on preferred design options.

To celebrate the completion of the project, a garden bench has been donated to the parkland adjacent to the West Bridgend blocks by Wates.


Convenor for Housing, Environmental and Economic Development, Councillor William Hendrie, said: "There is no more striking example of this council's commitment to improving housing in West Dunbartonshire than these fantastically renovated blocks at West Bridgend. Not only do they vastly improve the visual appearance of these properties for the tenants, residents and help to make Dumbarton a more attractive place for the wider public and visitors, but they also help improve living standards and cut down heating bills at a time when everyone is feeling the pinch.

"It was also a successful project in terms of the way the Council, residents, tenants and various construction teams co-operated to minimize disruption and maintain goodwill throughout several years of significant upheaval."

Executive Chairman of Wates, Andrew Laird, said: "Wates is a family business and being part of the community is really important to the company. While construction is our core activity, the nature of our work is very much community based and the company ethos is to give something back to the residents and community we have been working in."

Spokesman for the West Bridgend Tenants and Residents Association, Hugh O’Donnell, welcomed the project saying: "As someone who has lived in Lomond Court since 1971 I can honestly say I think the end results are absolutely brilliant. Our Association was also delighted with the way that the work was carried out and there were really no complaints at all. We're now looking towards winter and are hoping the overcladding will pass on benefits in terms of cheaper energy bills and higher standards of comfort for tenants and residents."

(JG/BMcC)