Aberdeen City Council has awarded a grant of £645,100 to Castlehill Housing Association towards a new affordable housing development in the city.

The funding will go towards Castlehill’s 36 house project with Bancon Homes at Maidencraig, off the Lang Stracht.

Councillor Sandra Macdonald, Aberdeen City Council housing spokesperson, said: “This is another welcome investment in affordable housing in Aberdeen, part of a bigger picture of positive change in housing provision in the city.

“As a council we are actively adding to our own housing stock, with two major developments ongoing, but it is essential we work with housing associations and developers to address the challenges the city faces.

“The grant funding to Castlehill Housing Association is a good example of that approach and we are pleased the Maidencraig project, in conjunction with Bancon Homes, is moving forward. The delivery of 36 houses is welcome at a time when there are great strides being made.”

Fiona Murray, director of development services with Castlehill Housing Association, said: “Castlehill welcomes the support of Aberdeen City Council towards achieving our objective of delivering much needed affordable housing in the city.”

Aberdeen City Council handed over the first properties at its development of 99 council homes at Smithfield in 2017, with further phases nearing completion. A further 80 council homes are under construction at Manor Walk and the first properties were handed over to tenants in recent weeks.

Last month the council announced it is to develop plans for the delivery of 2,000 new council homes.

The council will also aim to expand its work with the private sector in the provision of affordable housing and will prepare a report detailing land holdings that could be made available.