Members of the council’s Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee approved plans on 31 August to begin the procurement process for the construction of 24 properties, subject to planning permission.

The properties will be developed on land south of Plean Parish Church, as well as Plean Main Street. They will follow additional social housing being delivered nearby at McAuley Brae, where 19 units are currently under construction.

In total, council funding of £3,240,000 from the Housing Revenue Account has been earmarked for the project with more than £2,880,000 of grant funding to come from the Scottish Government.

Community Housing and Wellbeing convener, Cllr Gerry McGarvey, said: “This development will help respond to a local need for social housing in Plean, delivering high quality, energy efficient homes suitable for a range of family sizes.

“I’m pleased that by taking the first step in delivering this development we are demonstrating our commitment to providing more new affordable homes for residents in Stirling. I look forward to seeing this development take shape and keys turning in front doors in the near future.”

Each property in the new development will have electric vehicle charging facilities in addition to solar panels and battery storage in line with the council’s ambitions of reducing carbon emissions as part of its Climate and Nature Emergency Plan.

The development will comprise two, three and four-bedroom homes and two wheelchair-accessible bungalows.