THE site of the former Highdykes Primary School in Bonhill is expected to be sold off for social housing, the Reporter can reveal.

And the sale of the land, at Braehead, is expected to net West Dunbartonshire Council £300,000.

Members of the infrastructure, regeneration and economic development committee will meet on Wednesday and will be asked for their blessing so that the sale of the land can be concluded.

AS Homes (Scotland) Ltd want the 4.41 acre site to build social houses.

The firm is well known to the area, as they were recently working with Clydebank Housing Association in order to build 44 properties.

The former primary school closed in June 2015 following a school rationalisation programme which merged Highdykes and Ladyton Primary Schools and relocated them into the former St Ronan’s Primary School building. The property was then demolished in 2016.

With the land sitting idle, the local authority looked at ways of disposing of the land and a recent marketing campaign was undertaken.

At the closing date of August 30 this year the local authority received just the one offer – from AS Homes.

If the green light is given, AS Homes are expected to team up with a housing association as they seek to deliver social housing on the site.

But West Dunbartonshire Council could also net a further £445,000 at tomorrow’s meeting as committee members will be asked to approve proposals to sell off the former Dalreoch House care home, at West Bridgend.

Following a care home rationalisation project the site was declared surplus in February 2013.

And the property was vacated in June this year after completion of the new Dumbarton Care Home, at Crosslet House.

The site was marketed with a closing date on September 14, 2017, and two bids were received.

The offer of £617,000 was received for a residential scheme and £445,000 for a specialised supported housing scheme.

The Reporter has learned that the lower offer of £445,000 by HB Villages Development Limited, is the “preferred bid”.

A report to go before members states: “The two proposals differ.

“One offers a traditional residential scheme of 18 two storey terraced houses and the other a scheme of three blocks, two storey and one three storey in height comprising 18 specialised supporting housing apartments and seven bungalows for adults with learning difficulties and physical difficulties.”

The report adds: “The proposed scheme by, HB Villages Development Limited instrumentally delivers one of the council’s key strategic aims by improving the wellbeing of communities, and protect the welfare of vulnerable people.”

Speaking about the Highdykes site, Caroline McAllister, SNP councillor for Leven, said: “This land is one of our medium priority sites for sale in our strategic housing investment plan and I’m pleased that we’ve got an acceptable offer on the table to consider.

“If we go ahead with the sale, it will be subject to planning permission being granted, and the developer will have to work with the council to ensure the homes being proposed meet the needs of our citizens.”

With regards to the Dalreoch site, she added: “Delivering best value is about much more than just pounds and pence.

“The added value of specialist supported housing that this slightly lower bid proposes will assist us in meeting some currently unmet need in our community.

“If we can provide suitable housing that allows people to remain in their own home rather than having to live in a shared accommodation or care home, that goes a long way to promoting their independence and improving their personal wellbeing.”

But the proposed sell-off has not been welcomed in some quarters.

Fellow Leven councillor Jim Bollan, of the community party, said: “I am extremely disappointed with this further sale of public land by the SNP council.

“Both these sites would be ideal for building new council homes on which are badly needed, with a huge council waiting list of applicants needing suitable affordable housing. “ He added: “I had hoped the SNP would have ditched the free market approach to the sale of public assets favoured by the previous Labour administration, but it appears not.”