PLANS have been submitted for 126 new affordable properties on the site of the former St Andrew's High School.

Long earmarked for housing, the detailed application is split between 58 units for Cube Housing Association and 68 for West Dunbartonshire Council in the joint venture.

The local authority is leading the way on the design, procurement and management of the 3.1 hectares site, which has been derelict since 2010.

It would be a mix of townhouses, bungalows and two- and three-storey flats.

Bordered by the rail line, Glasgow Road, Whitecrook Street and North Douglas Street, the homes will be central for West College Scotland, Clydebank Leisure Centre, Clydebank rail station, the shopping centre and bus links.

Clydebank MSP Gil Paterson said: “It is great to see plans going in for more social housing in Clydebank. It is also excellent news for the on-going regeneration of the waterfront area. 

"There’ll be an enormous queue for when the houses become available. Congratulations to all those who are making this happen because there’s a dire shortage of quality accommodation.”

Councillors approved the use of the former St Andrew's High and Braidfield High for housing back in March 2016. 

The St Andrew's properties will be accessed from Whitecrook Street and John Knox Street, with a new road linking the two. There will also be a total of 135 parking spaces for the 126 homes.

Initial public comments on the proposals are broadly in favour, but raise concerns about access roads and the number of parking spaces.

One neighbour wrote: "Whitecrook Street is an already busy narrow street with a low bridge. Looking at the plans the new access roads would link both Whitecrook Street and John Knox Street. 

"Connecting these roads would result in a huge increase in traffic as most property owners with cars would use Whitecrook street to travel to Clyde Shopping Centre as it would be the shortest route. Car owners from the surrounding streets would probably also cut through the development as a shortcut to Clyde Shopping Centre.

"Joining Whitecrook Street and John Knox Street would potentially create a 'rat-run' for cars as the traffic on Glasgow Road can be very busy - especially in rush hour."

Work would start in January 2019 and be completed by September 2020.

The land of the former school most recently featured in a shot for Trainspotting 2, looking over the empty space towards the Douglas Hotel, which will now face new homes if the plans are approved.