Work has started on a project to deliver 44 homes for affordable rent for Clydebank Housing Association (CHA).

Worth around £5 million, the design and build contract will see AS Homes (Scotland) Ltd develop the homes at the former Gala Bingo/La Scala site on Graham Avenue in Clydebank.

Demolition of the existing building, which has lain derelict for some years, is now underway and will take around three months to complete.

A planning application has been lodged with West Dunbartonshire Council to erect 44 housing units for affordable rent and includes 20 x 1 bedroom and 20 x 2 bedroom flats and 4 x 2 bedroom wheelchair adapted flats and will be funded by both private finance raised by CHA and Scottish Government grant via its Affordable Housing Investment Programme.

The new homes will be extremely energy efficient and will meet the Scottish Government’s Greener Homes Standard and West Dunbartonshire Council’s silver standard.

It is hoped that the building contract will commence on site around summer 2016.

Tom Winter, chairman of CHA, said: “We are delighted that both West Dunbartonshire Council and the Scottish Government have prioritised and committed to funding this development in its 2016/17 programme. With over 700 applicants on our housing list alone, these homes will be a much-needed addition to our affordable rented stock. This is our first development opportunity since 2008 and we are sure our proposals will complement the council’s ongoing regeneration of the surrounding area for the benefit of the community.”

Paul Kelly, managing director of AS Homes (Scotland) Ltd, said the start of work “marks an important first step towards an exciting new housing development in Clydebank”.

He added: “We look forward to the opportunity of working with Clydebank Housing Association in providing tenants with quality, modern and energy efficient homes. As well as directly benefiting tenants, the build process will also support the local supply chain and provide employment and training opportunities for the wider community.”