The former Smithfield School site has been earmarked for 99 units and Manor Walk for 80.

Both would be used for a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom flats and houses.

The city council’s finance convener Willie Young said plans had been tabled after the Scottish Government agreed to chip in.

He told the Evening Express: “We’ve got the opportunity to do council housing and this shows us working with the Scottish Government to fulfil needs of city.”

In recent years the council has built sheltered housing but no new mainstream social housing, which tenants previously had a “right to buy” at discount. Aberdeen still has 21,000 council homes but a waiting list of 7,000.

Cllr Young said: “This shows our commitment to trying to make sure we get them off waiting lists.

“We want people and families to have a good quality of life and this is something we need to do more of where appropriate.”

Committee vice-convener Cllr Ross Thomson said: “A mixed housing tenure will help regenerate the community.”

SNP spokesman Cllr Graham Dickson said: “We had called for social housing at these sites as we had in other areas of the city.

“It’s wonderful that the Scottish Government is providing for Aberdeen.”

The Labour-led administration has pledged to deliver 2,000 affordable homes in partnership with housing associations but Cllr Young said the council housing would be “extra”.

Costs are being kept under wraps but the two projects are believed to total around £30 million. Three quarters is expected to come from the housing revenue account and the rest from the government.

The committee will be asked to sign off the budget on June 9 and community consultation is to take place on the design layout.

@AberdeenCC