New Highly Sustainable Homes Are Transforming The Lives of Families In Bonhill

Families have begun to settle into their new Council homes, with two mums highlighting how much the properties will enhance the lives of their families.

Amanda Bicknell, along with her two children, recently moved into a new housing development in Pappert, Bonhill.

The 26-home development was delivered by CCG (Scotland) on behalf of West Dunbartonshire Council.

To commemorate its completion, elected members, representatives from the Council’s Housing section, and the Scottish Government recently visited the site to witness the transformation and view some of the properties.

Amanda, along with her sons Sean, aged three, and Bonnie, aged one, recently moved into a mid-terrace property in Lavender Gardens, having previously stayed at West Bridgend.

 She said: “We were staying in the high flats in Dumbarton for about three and a half years.

“Sean is autistic, and he is non-verbal.

“We have now got our own garden and the kids have got their own bedrooms.

“They have put me in the middle. The two other gardens have gates, but mine doesn’t which is perfect because, otherwise, Sean would just get out all the time. I know it is safe for him.

“I couldn’t dream of anything better for the kids.”

Another family, including a mum of three children, have also settled in Pappert, having previously lived elsewhere in West Dunbartonshire.

The mum said: “The house we were in was only a two-bed, so my older children were sharing. We now have a three-bedroom end-of-terrace property.

“It has a really big garden area, which will make a big difference to all of the children.

“My son has a complex health condition, and he gets at-home sessions with a therapist.

“It was chaos before trying to find space for these sessions, but now there is much more room. The kids have all got their own space, and that makes a difference.

“The house itself has so much natural light coming in, which is great, and my daughter has already met another wee girl from one of the houses further up.”

The 26-home development, designed by MAST Architects, is a first for West Dunbartonshire as six of the homes have been constructed to a Passivhaus standard of build.

Passivhaus homes are super-insulated and use enhanced components such as triple-glazed windows and specially designed doors to create an airtight building fabric.

CCG has been mainstream in the construction of Passivhaus homes since 2011 and has delivered a number of developments across Scotland, including the country’s largest Passivhaus project in Dundashill, north Glasgow.

The remaining 20 homes at Pappert were constructed to the CCG Net Zero Home build standard. Designed to address operational net zero carbon, the homes have triple-glazed windows and solar panels connecting to battery storage units, which store energy for later use – allowing residents to benefit from cheaper evening tariffs.

All homes utilise an air-source heat pump for space heating and hot water services.

Funding to match the Council’s financial commitment for the project has come from the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme Funding and the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund.

It is the latest house building project in the area, aiming to meet unprecedented demand for social housing. There are five, four-bedroom properties within the site to meet demand from larger families within the area.

Convener of Housing and Communities, Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, said: “Just over a year ago, I was here and building work had only just begun. The transformation in that time is incredible.

“It is great to hear about how the new properties are making such a difference to the lives of many families.”

Councillor Hazel Sorrell, Vice Convener of Housing and Communities, added: “These homes have been specifically designed to be energy efficient and to cater for the changing needs of our tenants.

“It is a pleasure to hear how families are making the most of these new build properties.”

CCG’s involvement in the development led to wider community benefits, with two full-time jobs and four work placements created, as well as participation in various career events with local schools. A  £3,000 donation was also split between Bonhill Community Garden and Bonhill Community Council.