A CONSULTATION is to be held over a controversial housing development in Duntocher.


Concerned residents and builder Taylor Wimpey will be given a chance to air views on the mass housing project.


It follows Provost Douglas McAllister and planning chairman Lawrence O’Neill of West Dunbartonshire Council submitting evidence to the Scottish government last month against the development.


They hope to persuade the cabinet secretary to drop his ministerial directive which states the 100-house development should go ahead on the protected land.


Councillor O’Neill said: “I have received written confirmation from civil servants that they are seeking further comments on the development. I hope this will allow the Scottish government to reconsider in its support for this housing project that the people of Duntocher and Clydebank, as well as the council, is completely against.”


A Scottish Government spokesman said the exact process would be confirmed “in due course”.


The development has been controversial since it went to the planning committee in March 2015.


More than 100 objectors say the destruction of a greenbelt is unacceptable and local infrastructure – busy Farm Road – cannot handle another 100 cars, especially at rush hour.


Councillors unanimously rejected Taylor Wimpey’s bid and rejected it again when the Scottish government planner tried to intervene.


The council said it was following the will of the people in Clydebank, who clearly expressed en masse that they do not want the development in that area.


A ministerial directive came in from Alex Neil MSP, planning minister, as he believed the project would be in line with West Dunbartonshire’s local development plan.


Provost Douglas McAllister and Cllr O’Neill met with the MSP last August in what was described as a “productive” discussion.


In December 2015, the MSP wrote back saying the development should go ahead. But just days after that, the number of homes West Dunbartonshire needs to build, a target set by the a joint Clyde Valley committee, reduced from 250 to 150 by 2018.


“In light of the Queens Quay development, we are hoping the Scottish government will agree the Duntiglennan Fields development will not be needed to meet the target,” Provost McAllister said.


Last week we reported evidence had been resubmitted. Since then councillors say they have been told a further consultation will take place with objectors and Taylor Wimpey. They are due to receive written confirmation soon.


A Scottish Government spokesman said: “West Dunbartonshire Council and government officials have discussed this issue following receipt of information from the council regarding its Local Development Plan, and ministers will confirm if any action is needed, and the process, in due course.”