The pledge was made during a visit to a £3 million housing development in Inverurie last week.

The Martin Brae scheme consists of 24 units across a range of property types and sizes.

Along with the Barrasgate development in Fraserburgh, the scheme was delayed due to previous contractor Muirfield (Contracts) going into administration.

However, work on both sites has now restarted following the retendering of the contracts.

Council co-leader Martin-Kitts Hayes said: “Despite the recent drop in house prices, affordability in Aberdeenshire is still a major barrier to us being able to recruit and retain key workers in the area.

“We need to build more affordable housing on top of those the council is already committed to building. We will work with partner organisations, Scottish Government and developers in order to achieve this.”

A number of developments in Aberdeenshire have recently been completed, including Bennachie View Care Village and 24 extra care units to accommodate people with learning difficulties at St James’s Court in Inverurie.

Further schemes in Banff, Peterhead, Ballater, Balmedie, Huntly,and Turriff are also planned or underway.

@Aberdeenshire