By Aberdeen City Council leader Councillor Jenny Laing

We announced recently that work is about to begin on Aberdeen’s largest council house development for more than a decade.

The Smithfield Development will deliver 99 new, sustainable homes by the end of 2017.

This is great news for the area of Middlefield – one of the city’s regeneration areas.

These contemporary, all-purpose homes have been carefully designed to stand the test of time and will provide shelter for residents in our city who are unable to find suitable accommodation in the private rental market.

The extensive development is a key milestone in delivering one of our key objectives – to roll out thousands of new, affordable houses over the next two years.

The council’s firm commitment to invest in our housing portfolio will not just ensure Aberdeen can offer comfortable, modern homes for those seeking to build lives here, but it will also rejuvenate existing communities who will benefit from new infrastructure and the regeneration which accompanies such investment.

We have been at a crossroads in Aberdeen for some time, particularly where the availability of housing is concerned, but projects like this will begin to shape our city for the future generations that follow.

The council will be announcing further plans for hundreds more affordable housing in the coming weeks, plans that meet city’s strategic commitments and will transform Aberdeen for the people who live and work here.