Ten per cent of new social and affordable housing being built in West Dunbartonshire will be accessible for wheelchair users.

This is part of a new policy that was approved by councillors at this week's housing and communities committee meeting.

A host of other additional requirements will also be introduced for every new build home including a minimum required amount of floor space, kitchens with dining space where possible, extra hall space for wheelchairs, prams and bikes and a home office.

Dementia friendly elements will also be introduced.

Other improvements mean that all new homes will be more energy efficient and flexible, making them more suitable for longer term living.

Extra advice will also be given on how to design external areas.

The new standard was agreed by councillors on Wednesday, February 6.

Councillor Diane Docherty, convener of housing and communities, said: “We are committed to improving the lives of our tenants and we are proud of the steps we have taken so far to ensure our housing is not only affordable but also pleasant to live in.

“This extension of the design standard shows our strong commitment to providing not just houses, but homes.

“We are well underway with our ambitious programme to build a thousand energy efficient and affordable new homes in West Dunbartonshire by 2021.

"It gives me great pleasure to know these will also be of an extremely high quality.”

Councillor Caroline McAllister, vice convener of housing and communities, added: “The council’s new homes are already of a very good quality thanks to the original design standard's requirements including a home office space, energy use monitoring devices and kitchens with dining space.

"I look forward to seeing residents enjoy their homes at the various sites being developed across West Dunbartonshire.”

All new developments must meet the design standard and also the silver standard for energy efficiency, meaning they will keep residents’ bills down as well as minimising their impact on the environment.