The site comprising of one, two, and three-bedroom properties including main-stream housing, wheelchair-accessible properties, and properties let to care providers for supported living. Representatives from the Association and the council were joined by Shona Robison MSP, the cabinet secretary for social justice, housing and local government, who unveiled the viewing platform.

Dumbarton is a town built on the waterfront; its unique strategic position is the reason why the castle was constructed on the rock. In its history, the waterfront has been key to commerce, including the shipbuilding on this site, and later the Ballantine’s whisky distillery. Since the closure of the distillery, this area has been left derelict, so the Association and council said they are very proud to see it redeveloped as a new and vibrant community.

The development looks to address the growing need for affordable housing within the town, whilst looking to link in with the culture and heritage of the location. With funding from the National Heritage lottery, DHA is currently working closely with Rigarts (socially engaged arts and film charity) and West Dunbartonshire Council to ensure that the open areas provide cultural regeneration with the provision of benches, a viewing platform, artistic paving slabs and commemorative door plaques.

Allan Murphy, CEO of Dunbritton Housing Association, detailed that: “In this time of financial uncertainty, social housing has a key role to play in providing families with affordable high-quality homes. This development has allowed Dunbritton to provide 150 properties across all sizes and types which will help address the housing needs of the people of Dumbarton.”

Cabinet secretary Shona Robison said: “I was delighted to open the Dumbarton Harbour development. We want to ensure everyone has a warm, safe, affordable home that meets their needs. It is great to see the outcome of the strong collaborative partnership working between all the partners which has made this transformative regeneration possible. We are proud of delivering 111,750 affordable homes delivers since 2007 with over 78,000 for social rent. Progress has started towards our next ambitious target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, of which 70% will be for social rent and 10% in remote, rural and island communities.

“I was delighted to open the Dumbarton Harbour development. We want to ensure everyone has a warm, safe, affordable home that meets their needs. It is great to see the outcome of the strong collaborative partnership working between all the partners which has made this transformative regeneration possible.

“We are proud of delivering 111,750 affordable homes delivers since 2007 with over 78,000 for social rent. Progress has started towards our next ambitious target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, of which 70% will be for social rent and 10% in remote, rural and island communities.”

Sephton MacQuire, chair of the board at Dunbritton, added: “This development encapsulates Dunbritton’s commitment to providing high-quality social housing within West Dunbartonshire. I wish to thank both the Scottish Government and the Bank of Scotland for their financial support and assistance with financing the project. We have shown a long-term commitment to regenerate this unused and abandoned area of the town, turning it into a place of high demand for those in housing need.”

Grahame Andrew, relationship director at Bank of Scotland, said: “The new development at Dunbarton Harbour has provided locals with a range of sustainable properties at affordable rents. At Bank of Scotland, we are always eager to help drive positive change across the country and we’re proud to have been able to support Dunbritton Housing Association. Using our funding the organisation is helping to transform a previously derelict part of Dunbarton into a thriving space that we’re sure the new tenants will enjoy.”