West Dunbartonshire Council is to conduct structural surveys on a number of its properties after concerns were raised over one of its homes.

It is understood the surveys are precautionary, after a potentially serious defect was found in one of its flat-roofed homes.

Letters from the Council have been issued to tenants and to owners of ex-Council properties in the area surrounding Dumbuie Avenue to update them on the situation and explain the steps being taken by the local authority.

The problem was discovered in a privately owned home on Dumbuie Avenue when a piece of the concrete ceiling collapsed. The home is one of four terraced houses in a block- two of which are Council properties.

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Following initial structural investigations, it was indicated that repairs to the roof are necessary.

Head of Housing and Community Safety, Helen Turley, said: "The Council is taking this issue very seriously and as a precaution, one tenant has been moved to alternative accommodation and we are working with the other affected tenant to find his family a suitable, temporary property.

"We have also written to all tenants and home owners in any other properties of a similar design to those affected in Dumbuie Avenue to update them on the situation.

"Structural surveys will be arranged for all our properties of this kind in the area, of which there are 56. These will be carried out over the next five weeks, and only then will we know the cause and extent of the problem and if any buildings of a similar design are similarly affected."

The surveys will look for potential defects with a view to ruling out any unaffected buildings. The Council is also advising home owners to instruct a similar survey for their home.

Ms Turley added: "We expect tenants and home owners to have follow-up questions about how this process will work and so we have arranged an information session on Saturday to hopefully address any concerns they may have."

A drop-in session for tenants and home owners will take place on Saturday 13 April between 10am - 12pm at the Crosslet Centre, Silverton.

(JP/CD)