The previous three years have seen a total of 180 affordable homes built and allocated across the area.

A further 31 are projected to be completed this financial year followed by 99 next year and 112 in 2019-20.

The figures are contained in a report which will go before the council’s communities committee today.

The report notes that last month the council completed a 16-unit development at Burdshaugh in Forres which followed hard on the heels of work beginning on a 15-unit development at Linkwood Steading in Elgin.

A 20-unit development is scheduled to start on site this month at Ferrylea in Forres, while work is expected to get under way on a 12-unit development at Strathcona Road in Forres in August.

A 21-unit development at the driving range in Elgin is programmed to start on site in October.

The report to councillors states: “As part of the More Homes Scotland initiative, the Scottish Government has committed to investing over £3billion to build 50,000 affordable houses over the next five years.

“To achieve this priority, the government is encouraging councils to prepare for a significant increase in their resource allocations beyond 2018.”

Yesterday SHN reported that Springfield Properties has submitted plans for the first phase of a 2,500-home development in the south of Elgin.