McTaggart Construction has officially opened Willox Park in Dumbarton, a development of 17 age-friendly and wheelchair-accessible homes created in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Council.

The opening was attended by the council's convener of housing and communities, council officials and new residents. The project has transformed the brownfield footprint of the former Willox Park Care Home, providing high-quality, supported accommodation for people already living within the neighbouring sheltered housing complex.

Constructing a new build next to an occupied, operational sheltered housing environment presented a distinct challenge, making community engagement and clear communication fundamental from the outset.

Regular consultations with residents and neighbours were held throughout, supported by newsletters and on-site conversations. Feedback directly influenced key design choices, including building layout, parking, the retention of trees and the protection of green space. In a considerate touch during site mobilisation, the team also relocated a resident's cherished rose bush.

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The completed scheme comprises a two-storey block of one- and two-bedroom flats set around a central landscaped courtyard. All 17 homes meet Housing for Varying Needs standards and incorporate dementia-informed features such as colour-coded entrances and lift access.

Janice Russell, Managing Director at McTaggart Construction, said: "Willox Park is a development we're really proud of, not just for what's been built, but for the way it was built. Working on an occupied site, alongside a community of residents who had a real stake in the outcome, meant that communication and trust were every bit as important as programme and quality. The result is a development that reflects the people it was designed for. We're delighted to have marked the opening alongside West Dunbartonshire Council, the Convener and, most of all, the residents themselves".

Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, Convener of Housing and Communities, said: "It's great to see these properties completed and members of this close-knit and vibrant community enjoying their new surroundings."

Community benefits extended beyond the build itself, with more than £10,000 of community project works delivered via the West Dunbartonshire community wish list in response to requests from local groups. The site also achieved a Considerate Constructors Scheme score of 41 out of 50, exceeding the sector average.

Willox Park has been shortlisted for both the Homes for Scotland and Scottish Home Awards 2026, with both ceremonies still to come.