The latest new housing development built by Perth & Kinross Council was officially opened in Alyth yesterday.

Consisting of 11 new units, the development of three houses and eight flats in Springbank Road will provide much-needed affordable social housing for people in this area of Perth and Kinross.

The properties have been built by Perthshire-based Hadden Construction and were handed over to Perth & Kinross Council last week.

Housing and health convener Councillor Dave Doogan and council leader Councillor Ian Miller visited the development to view the newly-completed homes.

The development was funded in partnership by Perth & Kinross Council and the Scottish Government, as part of the council’s commitment to increase the supply of high-quality social housing in the area.

The council’s affordable house building programme has delivered around 200 new council homes in the last three years, with properties constructed in towns and settlements right across the region, including Methven, Scone, Alyth, Inchture, Blairgowrie, Auchterarder, Balbeggie, Rattray and Perth. Many more are in the pipeline.

The Alyth development consists of:

The three houses and eight flats all have gas central heating with a combi-boiler. The flats also have an eco-friendly and energy saving heating and ventilation recovery system installed.

All the windows and doors are double glazed and the houses and flats are insulated to current building standards. Solar panels have been installed on the roofs of the flats to help provide cheaper hot water for tenants.

Councillor Doogan said: “These new high-quality houses and flats will provide accommodation to new tenants with a range of accommodation needs, and will transform the lives of the people who live in them. The investment will also make a significant contribution to the development and vibrancy of the community of Alyth.

“All of these new properties have been built to the highest standard in an area where there is a shortage of affordable housing for local families. The council is able to build these properties thanks in part to the revenue we receive from rent that is paid by our existing council tenants. By paying their rent in full and on time, not only are our tenants paying for their own homes, they are helping other people in housing need by giving us the means to invest in our housing stock and provide homes for others. This is social housing in action.”

Councillor Miller, who is also a local elected member for Alyth, added: “I’m delighted to see these fantastic new homes in the town ready to be handed over to tenants. Perth & Kinross Council has had great success in increasing the level of social housing in the area over the last three years. A more extensive programme will continue to deliver new homes for people right across Perth and Kinross. This is one of our key priorities.”

Hadden Construction chairman, Scott Hadden, added: “We’re delighted to have played our part in successfully delivering this further phase of new-build housing for our own local authority. This project has allowed us to demonstrate the experience and quality of our locally based employees and supply chain members, ensuring a first-class development of much needed new homes.”