On 3rd June 2008, West Dunbartonshire Council's Planning Committee approved a planning application from Cordale Housing Association to build 279 homes for rent and sale in Dalquhurn Estate, a 30 acre site in Renton.  This development, which was the biggest land acquisition by a single housing association in Scotland, will transform the site of the former mill works (which was once the centre of the textile industry in the Vale of Leven) from a contaminated wasteland (lead, copper zinc from the former bleach works) into one of the most desirable places to live in West Dunbartonshire.

In partnership with a private developer, we will build 279 quality homes that capitalise on the gorgeous natural environment.  To the north of the site, the new homes will have views towards Ben Lomond, the homes at the south will overlook a nature conservation area, whilst to the east of the development area, the Association will build a range of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties that overlook the river Leven.

This development is the latest chapter in the regeneration and transformation of Renton from a place of multiple depravation into a place where people wnat to live, stop, shop and do business.  Over the next three years, the Dalquhurn development will lever £40m in to the local economy and create over 100 jobs

If you would like further information regarding Dalquhurn Estate please contact our Development Officer, Roddy Matheson by clicking here.

Below is the latest housing mix, with very approximate timescales.

Houses for rent beside nature conservation area

Aerial view of flats for rent

View of properties for rent from River Leven, which might be navigable by 2014

Views along the Ladeside

Cordale Housing Association obtained outline planning permission to introduce a mixed housing development on 1st March 2006. At the same meeting, the Association gave a commitment to undertake comprehensive public consultation to involve local people in the design and layout of the proposed development.

To date, the Association has used the following methods to pass on information to local people and a wider audience about its proposals:

• Residents Conference June 2006
• Focus Group meetings
• Annual General Meeting
• Displays
• Letters
• Flyers
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers
• Community newspapers
• Website, including narrative, photos and 3d computer simulation
• Information Boards
• Local radio
• National television
• Meeting with Tontine Tenants & Residents Association
• Corporate Plan
• Annual Report
• Meeting with individual residents and stakeholders

The Dalquhurn Estate Focus Group was established in response to requests received at the Residents Conference in June 2006. The purpose of the Focus Group is to ensure that people living in the immediate area are kept up to date with the Associations proposals and have an opportunity to influence decisions prior to the submission of the detailed planning application.

Focus Group has met on several occasions and continues to play an active role in shaping our proposals. The Management Committee of Cordale Housing Association has based the following decisions on feedback received from the Focus Group:

• A revised housing layout and mix
• A revised roads layout
• The re-opening and retention of the mill lade
• The removal of the proposed community facility
• The removal of one large play area in favour of a series of smaller play areas
• The relocation of flats from a position adjacent to mill lade.
• The introduction of a higher ratio of flats.
• Exploring the potential for introducing a secondary access/haulage road via the Howgate
• Exploring the potential to purchase land between cycle path and development site to improve the amenity of the area.
• The timing and phasing of development from John Street outwards
• The temporary resurfacing of John Street 

Cordale Housing Association has continued its drive to boost awareness of a multi-million pound housing development in the community where it is being built.

The Association has been in discussion with local people since June 2006 on it plans for Dalquhurn Estate and has introduced a focus group, organised public meetings, produced newsletters and published numerous updates on the proposals via the local press and its own website.  The Association hopes to build a mixed development of 279 homes for sale and rent on former wasteground in Renton.  Members and tenants have been unanimous in their support for the plans, but a small number of residents have expressed reservations.

On 13 February 2008, Cordale’s Director, Stephen Gibson attended a public meeting in Renton chaired by Jackie Baillie MSP to address any concerns local people may have had. Local councillors Jim Bollan, John Miller, Jonathan McColl and May Smillie were also present.

At the meeting, residents highlighted their issues and Cordale now hopes to tackle these.  These include: -

• A sunken pavement at the entrance to John Street, which will now be examined by West Dunbartonshire Council, Roads Department.
• Concern over trees that have been cut down to the back of Tontine Park.  The Association explained that it may been necessary to cut some of these down if they were  highlighted as unsafe. 
• Concerns over the speed of lorries entering and exiting site.  The Association, the next day after the meeting raised the residents concerns with the Contractors. 
• A perimeter fence from the site which was encroaching onto the cycle path will now be brought back into line.
• Concern about a traffic island in Main Street will be investigated by the Association and local Councillors.
• Complaints about site traffic will be raised with contractors.
• Concerns about increased risk of flooding.  The Association will forward formal response from SEPA to local Councillors, confirming that SEPA is satisfied that all measures  have been taken by the Association to alleviate flood risk.  

The question of a second access road was also raised and a comprehensive report produced by Cordale, including cost implications and the impact it would have on the number of social houses, will be forwarded to Ms Baillie.

Cordale lodged a detailed planning application with the Council on 24 January 2008, for the proposed development at Dalquhurn.