Renfrewshire Council’s Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board approved awarding of the Council housing contract to Lovell Partnerships Ltd.

The new homes will be available to rent from Renfrewshire Council at Dargavel Village by 2019.

And the contract includes agreement to create four jobs for people new to the construction industry and two apprenticeships as well as a series of work experience placements, school visits and careers events.

On top of this, staff will be supported to complete qualifications through the benefits, developed in consultation with Renfrewshire’s Community Benefit Forum.

Councillor John Shaw, convener of Renfrewshire’s finance, resources and customer services policy board, said: “We are committed to supporting the Scottish Government in its ambition to build 50,000 affordable homes across Scotland and in approving this contract, Renfrewshire Council will build high quality homes available for social rent and secure benefits for the local community.

“The contract includes job opportunities and qualifications targeted towards people with no prior experience to give them the chance to develop their skills and make that important first step towards their chosen career. It will also showcase the varied roles to inspire local school pupils and college students.

“This is another important step towards our local target to build 1000 new affordable homes in the five years to 2021, and in doing so create positive thriving communities and encourage people to come and live and work in Renfrewshire.”

The 80 homes are funded through Council investment and the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Grant, providing a mix of flats, semi-detached and mid-terraced houses.

They are being built on two locations on land allocated at no cost by BAE Systems, who are leading the regeneration of the former Royal Ordnance Factory site into Dargavel Village, with 950 homes already occupied.

The regeneration project also includes a new M8 motorway junction to enhance Bishopton’s connectivity to the wider region, with the first phase completed on schedule last year and expected to open in early 2020.

Bishopton programme manager Jon Gettinby, from BAE Systems, said: “The new affordable housing scheme in Dargavel Village is another example of BAE Systems’ long-term commitment to transform the former Royal Ordnance Factory into a new community.

“We’re working hard to create an exciting mix of residential properties in the village as well as educational, health, commercial and recreational facilities, all of which is connected to the wider region by excellent transport infrastructure.”