HOUSEHOLDERS are outraged after being told smelly Portaloos and a builders’ canteen will be placed just yards from their front doors.

Residents at Thistle Neuk in Old Kilpatrick are demanding West Dunbartonshire Council moves its contractor’s base somewhere else — and say they have scouted alternative locations.

It comes as the council is spending hundreds of thousands of pounds to upgrade the cladding on its stock in the area. Turners Facility Management is carrying out the works.

The authority has defended its actions and said it is using an area where its lock-ups used to be, and that more than a quarter of residents in the large street will benefit from works, both private and council-owned.

But peeved off residents in a cul-de-sac where the base is being set up say no-one in their part is getting the works done, and questions why it has to be on their doorstep.

Margaret Anne Glass, 44, of Thistle Neuk, said: “I think it’s absolutely disgusting the way they are treating the community here. We are going to have to have smelly toilets for men at our doorsteps — and we eat our meals on the decking in the front garden. They had originally planned to put their toilets and canteen somewhere else but had to change it when they realised that area was in fact a slope.

“There are going to be deliveries coming on week days and through the weekend; massive big trucks in tight spaces; a major generator running 24/7; strangers coming and going and they don’t seem to be willing to compromise for what is going to be a complete upheaval of the people who live here’s lives. We would have appreciated some consultation before hand.”

Residents believe their properties will be damaged and despite being promised any repairs they say it is not good enough.

Discussions have taken place with contractors, council and householders to find a compromise, and it is understood one will be met at some stage.

Councillor Marie McNair has backed the residents and says the base should be moved somewhere else. Councillor Kath Ryall also told the Post she hopes a solution can be found, saying a compromise will have to be met.

A council spokeswoman pointed to the wider benefits in the area.

She said: “As part of our ongoing housing improvement programme we are investing £200,000 to provide council tenants in Thistle Neuk with warmer and more energy efficient homes. In addition a number of private homeowners have accepted the offer of Scottish Government funding and will also have insulating roughcast applied to their properties by the same contractor. In total more than a quarter of the residents in Thistle Neuk will benefit.

“We have considered a number of locations for the compound and have taken on board feedback from residents. We are keen to continue to work with residents to minimise any inconvenience and have put the site set up on hold to allow consideration of any other suitable alternatives for the compound.”