The widespread regeneration of North Glasgow is set to continue with a 600-strong housing development now underway on the former Diageo distillery site in Port Dundas.

The Dundashill project, which is being delivered by Scottish Canals, Bigg Regeneration and Igloo, will create 600 houses, including a pilot scheme for house-buyers to choose a house-type from a selection of architects, with a menu of custom choices including external materials and internal layouts to suit individual lifestyles.

Dundashill will be among 3000 new houses being built across North Glasgow in the next few years; the site will also benefit from energy efficient street lighting and an intelligent water management system that carries surface water runoff into the nearby Forth & Clyde Canal.

Ground preparation works, which are being funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal and by Scottish Canals, and carried out by I&H Brown, are already underway with housebuilders expected to be on site in Autumn 2019.

The project forms part of the multi-million pound regeneration of the Glasgow Canal which includes Pinkston Watersports Centre, Glasgow’s Wake Park, a new nature reserve and the opening of Rockvilla, home of the National Theatre of Scotland - all of which has cemented the area as a thriving and unique creative hub and urban sports playground.

Catherine Topley, chief executive of Scottish Canals, said: “Glasgow’s Canal has undergone incredible transformation in recent years from the rise of the cultural quarter at Speirs Wharf to the vibrant urban sports hub at Pinkston Basin and the bustling business park of 100 Borron Street.

“Today’s exciting announcement brings to life our ambitions for the area with the creation of an entirely new neighbourhood for North Glasgow which will see 600 quality homes being built, including the city’s first custom design housing offer.

“We are very much looking forward to the next phase of works beginning in 2019 and to seeing this unique North Glasgow neighbourhood take shape.”

Site enabling works currently underway include the installation of utilities, drainage infrastructure and the formation of roads. They are due to be complete by spring 2019, building works will then follow with the first housebuyers expected to move into their new homes in 2020.

Councillor Kenny McLean, city convener for neighbourhoods, housing and public realm, said: “The development of Dundashill marks another stage in the regeneration of the canal and the areas along its banks. Glasgow will soon welcome hundreds of new homes in a fantastic location close to the city centre and all the new attractions on the canal. This is a remarkable time for this part of the city.”