The group who manages tenants living in the stricken Bellsmyre development has updated residents on delays to its regeneration.

Caledonia Housing Association has this week written to all tenants involved in the Bellsmyre Regeneration Programme in Dumbarton to inform them of delays to the project.

The initiative originally promised to build 140 new, affordable, two-storey homes to replace 225 traditional flats.

This would involve the demolition of some of the older, less popular three-storey tenements in the Bellsmyre neighbourhood and the construction of family-friendly, principally front/back door houses, each with its own garden.

However, it was announced this week that the bid had met with challenges and would be delayed with Caledonia blaming building costs among a number of reasons for the stoppage.

Andrew Kilpatrick, Director of Assets, said: “We have told all tenants that we are, unfortunately, unable to commence the next phase of the Bellsmyre Regeneration Programme as originally planned due to several reasons, most notably the unprecedented increases in construction costs over the last two years.

“We apologise for the delay but have assured tenants that Caledonia remain committed to the redevelopment of Bellsmyre, and our development project team is reviewing designs and costs as a matter of priority.

“We plan to share the revised plans with tenants and the wider Bellsmyre community as soon as this is feasible.

“We fully appreciate that this is disappointing news. We are liaising with West Dunbartonshire Council and Dame Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, to update them on the situation and outline the next steps.

“As well as revising plans, the disruption to the life of each impacted tenant and homeowner is a critical focus for us and we will be working with them directly to manage the next steps of the project including in-person consultation events and ongoing communication on progress.”

The total cost of the regeneration project is expected to be £35m, which was set to be funded through a combination of public and private funding raised by Caledonia.

However, on Monday, the Reporter told how MSP Jackie Baillie accused the Scottish Government of ‘backing off’ from investing in the programme as they had initially promised.