West Lothian Housing Partnership (WLHP), part of Wheatley Group, has announced the start of work on 85 new homes at Dixon Terrace in Whitburn.

The development, built on the site of a food processing factory demolished a decade ago, will increase the supply of much-needed affordable housing in West Lothian and contribute to WLHP’s plans to almost double the size of its housing stock by 2021.

The new homes in Dixon Terrace will be a mix of flats and houses, with 28 of the flats specially designed for older tenants, helping them live independently for longer.

Each home will have energy-efficient features including solar panels to cut heating costs.

The £11.5 million development, which includes £6 million grant funding from the Scottish Government, should be finished by early 2020.

Councillor Kirsteen Sullivan, depute leader of West Lothian Council, joined Board members and staff from WLHP and Wheatley Group, as well as local elected members and representatives from West Lothian Council and the contractor, Springfield Properties, to mark the start of work on the homes.

Cllr Sullivan said: “I am delighted to see work start on 85 new homes for rent in Whitburn.

“There’s a huge demand for affordable housing in West Lothian, with around 9,000 people looking for a new home on the Common Housing Register.

“The council is aiming to ensure that 3,000 affordable homes are delivered in West Lothian over the period 2012-2022 to help meet demand.

“We are pleased to support WLHP with this fantastic new development.”

John M Hill, chair of WLHP, said: “The 85 spacious energy-efficient homes we’re building here will make a huge difference to Whitburn and the wider area.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing these homes take shape.”

As part of its contract with WLHP, contractors Springfield Properties will be providing jobs and training opportunities for local people.

Tom Leggeat, Springfield Group Partnerships managing director, said: “These stylish, energy efficient homes will help support local trades and suppliers and bring new employment opportunities, including apprenticeships, to Whitburn.”

As well as the new homes at Dixon Terrace, work is well underway on 55 WLHP homes for social rent at Winchburgh Village on the outskirts of Edinburgh, while another 42 homes for mid-market rent are currently being built at Jarvey Street in Bathgate.

Another 146 homes, a mix of social rent and mid-market rent, are also planned for Livingston.