The three two-bedroom terraced houses and two two-bedroom flats form part of a new housing development at the former Polmaise Farm in the village that also includes 12 flats to be made available by the council at “mid market” rent levels.

Built by Ogilvie Homes, the properties were secured as part of planning permission for the site.

Housing portfolio holder, Councillor Violet Weir, said: “These are beautiful homes in what will be a very nice development in Cambusbarron when it’s completed.

“The council is committed to securing more homes for social rent as one of its key priorities and we go about achieving that in a variety of ways, including requiring developers to produce affordable homes as part of larger developments.”

Stirling Council’s own in-house building team also recently completed construction of 10 new bungalows in Cowie, while a former shop unit in Stirling’s Top of the Town has been converted into a one-bedroom flat.

Since 2012 the council has built or purchased more than 100 homes for social rent. Letting flats at mid market rents - higher than regular council rent, but lower than rates for similar sized properties in the private sector – can help people get on to the property ladder by making it easier for them to save for a mortgage deposit.

Councillor Weir said: “These properties are provided on a short assured tenancy basis which makes properties available for an initial six months then on a month to month basis and allows tenants to move on quickly and easily when they’re ready.”

The major new development at Goosecroft Road opposite Stirling railway station includes 53 flats that will also be offered on the same mid-market basis.

That development is being created as a partnership between the council, Stirling Development Agency and joint venture company Steadfast Homes and is due to be completed soon.