Fife Council is to continue beyond its current commitment of 2,700 new homes by 2017 after agreeing a two-year extension of its Affordable Housing Programme.

Councillors on the Executive Committee also approved funding of between £20 million and £30m for new council homes to complete the last phase of the current Programme.

Cllr Judy Hamilton, executive spokesperson for housing & building services, welcomed the decision and said: “The Affordable Housing Programme has a commitment to deliver 2700 new affordable homes by 2017.

“However, a strong social, economic and business case for more affordable homes for Fife still remains. The council can now give consideration to a new-build programme for a further two years. Based on the current housing needs, and rate of delivery, a target of 250 new council homes each year could be delivered in addition to other contributions from our partners.”

The backing of this additional Housing Revenue Account (HRA) investment means that details on the extension of the Affordable Housing Programme will now be developed and considered at a future Executive Committee meeting.

Meanwhile people are being given the chance to discuss a private developer’s plans for a proposed new affordable housing development at the former Bowling Green in Wellesley Road, Methil.

A drop-in event for members of the public to view and comment on the proposal will take place at Methil Library on Wednesday 6th May between 4.30pm and 7pm.

The proposal is for 12 council homes, made up of two-bedroom cottage flats.

If approved, the council intends to purchase the homes from NAStech Construction to rent to council tenants.