Work is progressing well on another phase of council housing at Leuchatsbeath in Cowdenbeath.

A second contract with Bellway Homes was agreed earlier this year and Fife Council is purchasing a further 22 homes at the developer’s Birchwood site for social rent, in addition to the 49 council homes already built and occupied.

Cllr Judy Hamilton, executive spokesperson for housing & building services, visited the development to see how things are progressing.

She said: “The council has a commitment to deliver 2,700 new affordable homes by 2017 and we’re on track to meet that target.

“The first phase of homes here make up a lovely development of council housing for social rent and it’s great to see tenants settled and happy in their modern, energy efficient new homes which recently achieved Secured by Design status. I’m very pleased that we’ve had the opportunity to extend this with a further phase of homes. These houses will be a range of two, three and four bedroomed homes with two much-needed six bed specific needs houses also built.”

The £2.7 million development will be completed in phases with all 22 homes due for completion by the end of 2016.

David Leaf, land manager, Bellway Homes (Scotland) Ltd, said: “Fife Council’s innovative approach to creating new social housing is to be commended and we are delighted that they have extended their offering at Cowdenbeath. The development incorporates a different and attractive offering for social housing provision and has been extremely well received by occupiers.”

Cllr Hamilton added: “Overall in the Programme we now have over 2,400 homes either completed or under construction. This is a great achievement and has already been life changing for those who have moved into one of these new homes or benefitted as a result and been allocated an existing council house that has been ‘freed-up’ by this house building programme. However, with over 800 applicants on the Fife Housing Register for Cowdenbeath alone there is more to do in tackling Fife’s shortage of affordable housing.”