A collaborative effort between McTaggart Construction and West Dunbartonshire Council is set to bring new affordable housing and a range of community benefits to the Willox Park area. The partnership will deliver a 17-unit, client design led, affordable housing development, procured through Scotland Excel, with a strong focus on strengthening the local community.

Central to the community benefits aspect of the project is Knowetop, a 15.5-acre site in Castlehill, Dumbarton, which serves as a vibrant hub for horticultural and wildlife initiatives aimed at enhancing community wellbeing. The farm offers various engagement opportunities, including volunteering, work placements, community events, and community food growing, playing a crucial role in supporting local residents.

Demonstrating their commitment to the Willox Park community, McTaggart Construction, with the support of groundworks subcontractor Tough Construction, recently completed a week-long programme of essential civil engineering works at Knowetop. This collaborative effort has successfully prepared the ground for the creation of key community assets, including a community fruit orchard, allotments for residents, and a dedicated space for educational and social workshops.


Feedback from staff and volunteers involved in the Knowetop project has been overwhelmingly positive, with expectations that the groundwork carried out by McTaggart and Tough Construction will significantly benefit hundreds of people annually through enhanced educational opportunities and activities promoting both mental and physical wellbeing.

Gary Hassan, Commercial Director at Tough Construction, commented: “Tough Construction are committed to supporting the communities in which we work. This was a fantastic partnership project to support the Willox Park community benefits. We are pleased to have carried out this work and are confident it will benefit countless residents.”

Claire Travis, Project Coordinator at Knowetop, expressed her gratitude for the support from McTaggart and Tough Construction, highlighting the pivotal role it will play in the further development of the project and the creation of new educational and social spaces.

The partnership between McTaggart Construction, West Dunbartonshire Council, and Tough Construction underscores a shared commitment to not only delivering much-needed affordable housing but also to investing in the social and environmental wellbeing of the local community. The establishment of the orchard, allotments, and social space is anticipated to provide lasting benefits to residents of Willox Park and the wider area.

McTaggart Construction's focus on community benefit aligns with their broader objectives of supporting both communities and the environment. By backing initiatives like Knowetop, they aim to generate a positive impact on hundreds of West Dunbartonshire Council residents, demonstrating the far-reaching influence of their partnership beyond the provision of physical housing structures.