DUMBARTON’S Lomondgate regeneration project has created 718 full-time equivalent jobs and generated £365 million for the local economy since it launched a decade ago.

According to an economic assessment report from consultants Peter Brett Associates, there are currently 757 people working at the site, which previously housed a bottling plant for J&B whisky and is now home to companies including Aggreko and Whitbread.

Since the project, which is run by Strathleven Regeneration and the Walker Group, launched in 2007 it has received £106m of investment from the private sector.

Of the total, £47.9m came from the Walker Group, Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey, which between them have built 344 new homes at the site, creating 82 jobs.

Strathleven Regeneration chairman Bruce Malcolm said:“These results, which have been achieved in challenging conditions and without public funding, show that Lomondgate has progressed from a regeneration initiative to become a vibrant community, successful business location and natural gateway to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.”

Further development is expected in the coming months, with Taylor Wimpey preparing to build 58 more homes and Chivas Brothers developing a bottling plant at the neighbouring Kilmalid site.