The construction of 54 modern, energy-efficient homes for rent has begun at Beardmore Place, Clydebank. The flats, which are a mixture of one and two bedrooms, are being built by CCG and will be available from September 2015.

The news comes as the Wheatley Group, the parent company of Cube Housing Association, secured a £250 million finance deal to take forward a mass programme of house building in the region.

Together with West Dunbartonshire Council, Cube has identified Graham Avenue as a possible location for some of the 300 new houses.

The local authority’s housing convener, councillor David McBride, was at the Beardmore Place site to mark the beginning of the new partnership.

Councillor McBride said: “It’s fantastic to see the partnership deliver such a positive contribution to new affordable housing at such an early stage. With advanced plans to deliver hundreds more new affordable homes to meet identified housing need, this is great news for the West Dunbartonshire community.” Alex McGuire, Wheatley Group director of property, said: “The partnership is already making a difference to the lives of tenants and breathing new life into our communities. By working with the council we can deliver clear benefits for West Dunbartonshire by increasing the supply of affordable homes in our neighbourhoods.”