A NEW development of 135 homes along the canal at Whitecrook looks set for approval by councillors.

Planning bosses have recommended giving permission to Turnberry Homes to build 70, two-storey terraced, semi-detached and detached houses, with 65 two-bedroom flats spread over three and four storeys.

The site – off Stanford Street – is a 2.9 hectare stretch of land between the Forth and Clyde Canal and Whitecrook Primary and the new Clydebank Community Sports Hub.

Formerly the site of RHI Refractories, there is also a separate planning application for residential use to the west, according to the papers going before West Dunbartonshire Council’s planning committee on January 22.

There were no objections submitted from council departments or government agencies, and no representations from the public.

Originally the land was designated for business or industry by planners but they decided the land supply would not be hurt by allowing homes there.

Planning bosses concluded: “The area in which the site is located is changing and it is evident that there has been a gradual movement away from a focus on industrial and commercial uses, which previously occupied such sites in this locality, to other uses such as residential.

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“The neighbouring brownfield site, located immediately to the north west of this site previously formed part of the same factory complex as this site and it has planning permission for a large scale residential development and a recent application has been submitted to revise it.

“Furthermore, there is already existing residential in the immediate area.”

They dubbed it a “high-quality residential development” that fits in well with connections to the town centre and which will bring brand new housing to Clydebank.

RHI Refractories shut down in 2016 and relocated its 106 jobs to their Bonnybridge factory.

At the time, Craig Robertson, Scotland manager of RHI Refractories, told the Post: “This was a very difficult decision and was not taken lightly.

“We fully understand the impact on our people and we will work closely with them to resolve concerns, however, the relocation is necessary to secure jobs and keep the business alive in Scotland.”